I am so ready for bed. I will fill you in on the weekend tomorrow but I had to share a funny story with you. I made it home around 5:30 this afternoon and after unpacking I decided to drive up to Taco Bell and get some food. On the way back I noticed someone who looked like Blaze standing on the side of the road on a cell phone. Upon closer inspection I realized that it was in fact him. So I turned the car around and went to see what was obviously wrong.
He and his now Ex-girlfriend got into it and he told her to pull over and he got out and she left, so I told him to hop in and forget about the crazy bitch and I'll take him home. Well she came back and picked him up, I waited to find out if everything was ok and he waved at me to go ahead. I didn't make it a mile down the road and he called and asked me to pick him up at the next gas station past where he was just at, but before I could get turned around he called me back saying the crazy bitch wouldn't let him out of her truck.
I thought she was going to pull a Vanilla Sky and run the damn truck off the road and kill them both. After I got home and ate my dinner he called again asking me to pick him up about 10 miles from the last spot. I went and picked him up and took him home. Damn I hope he tells her to piss off.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Friday, July 29, 2005
Ready for the weekend!
Weekend plans
I can't wait for tomorrow! We leave out for our white water rafting trip on the Ocoee River. Then we are going to spend the rest of the weekend in Chattanooga. We have reservations at the Hilton and tickets to the aquarium and Imax theater. This is going to be a great little mini vacation. I will have pictures up when I return.
I can't wait for tomorrow! We leave out for our white water rafting trip on the Ocoee River. Then we are going to spend the rest of the weekend in Chattanooga. We have reservations at the Hilton and tickets to the aquarium and Imax theater. This is going to be a great little mini vacation. I will have pictures up when I return.
VU Games revenues surge thanks to World of Warcraft
Then latest set of financial figures from Vivendi Universal show that the group's Games division saw revenues rising by 76 per cent in the second quarter of the year, largely due to the exceptionally strong performance of World of Warcraft.
The Blizzard-developed title, which currently has 2 million subscribers in North America, Europe and South Korea, along with an additional 1.5 million in China via local partner The9, is the most popular massively multiplayer game in the world.
Read more... (gamesindustry.biz)
The Blizzard-developed title, which currently has 2 million subscribers in North America, Europe and South Korea, along with an additional 1.5 million in China via local partner The9, is the most popular massively multiplayer game in the world.
Read more... (gamesindustry.biz)
Grandma sues Rockstar Games
It was only a matter of time, and the woodpecker has popped out from the clock: a civil suit against Rockstar has been launched seeking unspecified damages as a result of the entire Hot Coffee fiasco. The suit alleges that Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, engaged in misleading and deceptive practices in packaging and selling Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The suit was brought on behalf of consumers by Florence Cohen, aged 85, of New York: Grandma bought the game for her grandson. Her 14-year old grandson.
Read more...
Here's my thought on this......WTF is a 14 year old doing playing GTA SA to begin with. The problem is not the system, it lies with the parents and guardians of children to prevent them from playing games of this nature.
Read more...
Here's my thought on this......WTF is a 14 year old doing playing GTA SA to begin with. The problem is not the system, it lies with the parents and guardians of children to prevent them from playing games of this nature.
What an idea!
It's about time
Now I know this doesn't fall in the realm of "high tech", but dammit, it was about time they came up with something to keep from losing the little straw. I've got cans everywhere with the straw missing. Whoever finally came up with this is a genius.
"The “Hold-It” straw holder, from Texan company Hold-It Inc., has got to be the most practical invention since… well, since the shoe at least. If you’ve ever used a can of WD-40, you’ll understand why. The little red straw that comes with the lubricant is infamous in its ability to vanish after one or two uses. No one really knows where they go. I, for one, think hungry little children eat them as candy when you’re not looking. Whatever the case, the “Hold-It” easily attaches to the can of delightfully smelling lube and clamps onto the straw, thus preventing its disappearance."
The Order Page [Hold-It Straw Holder via Cool Tools]
Now I know this doesn't fall in the realm of "high tech", but dammit, it was about time they came up with something to keep from losing the little straw. I've got cans everywhere with the straw missing. Whoever finally came up with this is a genius."The “Hold-It” straw holder, from Texan company Hold-It Inc., has got to be the most practical invention since… well, since the shoe at least. If you’ve ever used a can of WD-40, you’ll understand why. The little red straw that comes with the lubricant is infamous in its ability to vanish after one or two uses. No one really knows where they go. I, for one, think hungry little children eat them as candy when you’re not looking. Whatever the case, the “Hold-It” easily attaches to the can of delightfully smelling lube and clamps onto the straw, thus preventing its disappearance."
The Order Page [Hold-It Straw Holder via Cool Tools]
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Doom movie trailer released
IGN offers the first online exclusive teaser trailer for the forthcoming Doom motion picture for download. The Universal Pictures film, based on the best-selling first person shooter of the same name and its subsequent videogame sequels, isn't due in theaters until October 21st, but you can get an early peek here.
Read more IGN
Read more IGN
Despite flap, sales of 'mature' games soar
The discovery of a hidden sex scene two weeks ago in the best-selling videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has shaken the game industry like an earthquake might rattle the San Andreas fault. But don't think for a second that other developers are going to shy away from adult-oriented games.
Read more
Read more
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
I said, "only one trip to the salad bar"!
This is too damn funny, BuddhaXO sent me this story and I had to share it.
Man Tasered By Police In Salad Bar Dispute
Aurora police have reviewed a weekend incident in which a man accused of stealing salad from a Chuck E. Cheese salad bar was hit with a stun gun twice by officers and said that proper procedures were followed.
Man Tasered By Police In Salad Bar Dispute
Aurora police have reviewed a weekend incident in which a man accused of stealing salad from a Chuck E. Cheese salad bar was hit with a stun gun twice by officers and said that proper procedures were followed.
No butts behind the wheel??
You have got to be kidding me, New Jersey is trying to ban smoking in your own car!
"Ashtrays have been disappearing in cars like fins on Cadillacs, and so could smoking while driving in New Jersey, under a measure introduced in the Legislature. Although the measure faces long odds, it still has smokers incensed and arguing it’s a Big Brother intrusion that threatens to take away one of the few places they can enjoy their habit."
“The day a politician wants to tell me I can’t smoke in my car, that’s the day he takes over my lease payments,” said John Cito, a financial planner from Hackensack with a taste for $20 cigars.
READ THIS BS!!
I'd like to see them try to stop me from smoking in my own car!!
"Ashtrays have been disappearing in cars like fins on Cadillacs, and so could smoking while driving in New Jersey, under a measure introduced in the Legislature. Although the measure faces long odds, it still has smokers incensed and arguing it’s a Big Brother intrusion that threatens to take away one of the few places they can enjoy their habit."
“The day a politician wants to tell me I can’t smoke in my car, that’s the day he takes over my lease payments,” said John Cito, a financial planner from Hackensack with a taste for $20 cigars.
READ THIS BS!!
I'd like to see them try to stop me from smoking in my own car!!
When Cell Phones Become Oracles
Cell phones know whom you called and which calls you dodged, but they can also record where you went, how much sleep you got and predict what you're going to do next.
At least, these are the capabilities of 100 customized phones given to students and employees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- and they may be coming soon to your cell phone.
Read the story
At least, these are the capabilities of 100 customized phones given to students and employees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- and they may be coming soon to your cell phone.
Read the story
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
I'm going to hurt the old bastard!
This old bastard in my programming class is pulling on my last nerve. I can't help the fact that your old body can't stand to have the room temp down past 75 degrees, the rest of us are about to burn up in here. I asked to turn the air on and he flipped out. I'll break his hip as he's walking back to his car.
And please tell me who for the love of god would wear black socks with WHITE PANTS and WHITE SNEAKERS!!!! Not to mention that most people, once they reach a certain age, no longer feel the need to kiss the teacher's ass. This guy can't see the light of day because his head is so far up her ass!
But it's almost over and this is my last class of the semster for this one! Maybe I'll spare his hip and just give him a dirty look.
And please tell me who for the love of god would wear black socks with WHITE PANTS and WHITE SNEAKERS!!!! Not to mention that most people, once they reach a certain age, no longer feel the need to kiss the teacher's ass. This guy can't see the light of day because his head is so far up her ass!
But it's almost over and this is my last class of the semster for this one! Maybe I'll spare his hip and just give him a dirty look.
Marc Broussard's new video
I have followed Marc Broussard for the last few years and his music is nothing short of amazing. This 24 year old cajun can play the guitar and sing like nobody's business. I have seen him perform live on many occasions and he really puts on a great show. I have all of his albums and a couple of live albums (one of which was cut at the show I went to). His latest album, Carencro, has a permanent place in my CD player.
Check out his latest video "Home", which happens to be one of my favorite songs as well.
Marc recently signed with Island Records (who also have such talents as Mariah Carey, The Killers, Hoobastank, Sum 41 and even Def Lepard), so be prepared to start hearing more and more from the truly talented young man.
I can't wait for the 13th of August, we are going to see him live at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville, TN.
What's your number??
SueZQ and I were talking about our numbers in numerology and my number is one. So she did a little research for me and this is what describes a 1:
The Life Path 1 drive in this life is characterized by individualist desires, independence, and the need for personal attainment. The purpose to be fulfilled on this Life Path is that of becoming independent. This is a two part learning process; first, you must learn to stand on your own two feet and learn not to depend on others. After you are indeed free and independent, you must learn to be a leader. Many of our Generals, corporate leaders, and political leaders are men and women having the Life Path number 1. The 1 always has the potential for greatness as a leader, but they may fail as a follower. Many 1's spend most of their lives shaking off their dependent side. When this happens, there is little time left for enjoying the rewards to be gained through independence. The individual with Life Path 1 has to overcome an environment in which it is very easy to be dependent, and difficult to be independent.
A person with positive 1 traits abounds in creative inspiration, and possesses the enthusiasm and drive to accomplish a great deal. Your drive and potential for action comes directly from the enormous depth of strength you have. This is both the physical and inner varieties of strength. With this strength comes utter determination and the capability to lead. As a natural leader you have a flair for taking charge of any situation. Highly original, you may have talents as an inventor or innovator of some sort. In any work that you choose, your independent attitude can show through. You have very strong personal needs and desires, and you feel it is always necessary to follow your own convictions. You are ambitious, and either understand or must learn the need for aggressive action to promote yourself. Although you may hide the fact for social reasons, you are highly self-centered and demand to have your way in most circumstances.
When the 1 Life Path person is not fully developed and expressing the negative side of this number, the demeanor may appear very dependent rather than independent. If you are expressing this negative trait of the number 1, you are likely to be very dissatisfied with your circumstances, and long for self-sufficiency. This is defined as the weak or dependent side of the negative 1 Life Path. On the strong side of this negative curve, the 1 energy can become too self-serving, selfish and egotistical. Over-confidence and impatience mark this individual.
The Life Path 1 drive in this life is characterized by individualist desires, independence, and the need for personal attainment. The purpose to be fulfilled on this Life Path is that of becoming independent. This is a two part learning process; first, you must learn to stand on your own two feet and learn not to depend on others. After you are indeed free and independent, you must learn to be a leader. Many of our Generals, corporate leaders, and political leaders are men and women having the Life Path number 1. The 1 always has the potential for greatness as a leader, but they may fail as a follower. Many 1's spend most of their lives shaking off their dependent side. When this happens, there is little time left for enjoying the rewards to be gained through independence. The individual with Life Path 1 has to overcome an environment in which it is very easy to be dependent, and difficult to be independent.
A person with positive 1 traits abounds in creative inspiration, and possesses the enthusiasm and drive to accomplish a great deal. Your drive and potential for action comes directly from the enormous depth of strength you have. This is both the physical and inner varieties of strength. With this strength comes utter determination and the capability to lead. As a natural leader you have a flair for taking charge of any situation. Highly original, you may have talents as an inventor or innovator of some sort. In any work that you choose, your independent attitude can show through. You have very strong personal needs and desires, and you feel it is always necessary to follow your own convictions. You are ambitious, and either understand or must learn the need for aggressive action to promote yourself. Although you may hide the fact for social reasons, you are highly self-centered and demand to have your way in most circumstances.
When the 1 Life Path person is not fully developed and expressing the negative side of this number, the demeanor may appear very dependent rather than independent. If you are expressing this negative trait of the number 1, you are likely to be very dissatisfied with your circumstances, and long for self-sufficiency. This is defined as the weak or dependent side of the negative 1 Life Path. On the strong side of this negative curve, the 1 energy can become too self-serving, selfish and egotistical. Over-confidence and impatience mark this individual.
Microsoft confirms Q4 Xbox 360 launch
Today at the Xbox Summit 2005 in Japan, Microsoft corporate vice president of worldwide retail sales and marketing Peter Moore reconfirmed that the Xbox 360 will be launching as scheduled in Japan, Europe, and North America at the end of the year. His statement at the summit shot down rumors that the console's release in Japan may be delayed until 2006.
Read more... (GameSpot)
Read more... (GameSpot)
Office Guns
The Super Maul
This was the first advanced gun and was constructed by Geir. It is made by assembling several Mauly clips and a thick rubberband and has tremendous firepower. With a regular pencil as projectile it can penetrate thick cardboard and empty soda cans. Never point this gun at anyone!
Russian spammer murdered?
A major Russian spammer named Vardan Kushnir has been found dead. The cause of death would appear to be repeated blows to the head.
Kushnir was in charge of the American language centre, a language centre that taught American English, with the emphasis on verbal skills. Around 2002-2003, the language centre was regarded to be the most prominent and the most famous spammer in Russia, regularly sending exorbitant amounts of spam to Russian Internet users. They managed to successfully defeat anti-spam filtering for a long time, and continued spamming due to loopholes in Russian law. Finally, a number of death threats were made. Looks like someone actually carried them out.
Kushnir was in charge of the American language centre, a language centre that taught American English, with the emphasis on verbal skills. Around 2002-2003, the language centre was regarded to be the most prominent and the most famous spammer in Russia, regularly sending exorbitant amounts of spam to Russian Internet users. They managed to successfully defeat anti-spam filtering for a long time, and continued spamming due to loopholes in Russian law. Finally, a number of death threats were made. Looks like someone actually carried them out.
Japan to build fastest supercomputer
The Japanese government said on Monday that plans were underway to develop a computer that would operate at a speed that is 73 times faster than the current fastest supercomputer.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology plans to use the machine for a range of complex tasks including research on the formation of the galaxy and medicinal research.
Read more
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology plans to use the machine for a range of complex tasks including research on the formation of the galaxy and medicinal research.
Read more
Super-fast broadband coming?
Within the next year, we could be looking at Super-fast broadband coming via cable, with speeds of 100 megabits per second being possible.
"This is a cost-efficient technology, as we use the cable TV networks which are already in place," Jukka Rinnevaara, chief executive of small-cap Finnish broadband equipment maker Teleste, told Reuters.
Such speeds may be absolutely necessary for the internet connected home of the future, which may come to rely on an internet connection to provide all telecommunications functionality including TV and telephone.
"This is a cost-efficient technology, as we use the cable TV networks which are already in place," Jukka Rinnevaara, chief executive of small-cap Finnish broadband equipment maker Teleste, told Reuters.
Such speeds may be absolutely necessary for the internet connected home of the future, which may come to rely on an internet connection to provide all telecommunications functionality including TV and telephone.
Monday, July 25, 2005
The deed is done
Most of us bitch and moan about our jobs, mostly just for something to do, but I can't really complain. For the most part, this company has been good to me. As the youngest salesman/project manager they put a lot of trust and confidence in my work. I have grown professionally within this company and I think it will help me with my next job. My bosses were fair and understanding when I told them I had to put in my two week notice. They see this as a step up and they commend me for trying to better myself.
The other company has already scheduled my flight details for Houston on the 8th of August and are very anxious to have me with them. That makes me feel good about myself. Actually I had to stop blogging for a few minutes, I had another phone call from the new job. They want me to get my passport ready because they want to send me to Canada for more training. They have already schedule my drug test and have my new employee packet ready. These people are on the ball! Everything is falling perfectly into place. I will miss most of the people I work with here and I'm sure we will still make a few trips to the bar from time to time.
I will be blogging a little less as I have to wrap things up around here over the next two weeks. Be sure to know I'll be blogging from HOT ASS Houston (and during the flight if I can pull it off), and of course I will have pics up when I return.
Thanks to my family and friends that I love dearly for their ongoing support for me.
Wish me luck!
The other company has already scheduled my flight details for Houston on the 8th of August and are very anxious to have me with them. That makes me feel good about myself. Actually I had to stop blogging for a few minutes, I had another phone call from the new job. They want me to get my passport ready because they want to send me to Canada for more training. They have already schedule my drug test and have my new employee packet ready. These people are on the ball! Everything is falling perfectly into place. I will miss most of the people I work with here and I'm sure we will still make a few trips to the bar from time to time.
I will be blogging a little less as I have to wrap things up around here over the next two weeks. Be sure to know I'll be blogging from HOT ASS Houston (and during the flight if I can pull it off), and of course I will have pics up when I return.
Thanks to my family and friends that I love dearly for their ongoing support for me.
Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
What an amazing month and it's not over!
This has been one of the best times of my life. Many prayers have been answered all at once, it's almost overwhelming. From the start of this month I have spent the majority of my time at the lake, kicking back, relaxing and spending time with friends. The Collective Soul concert, making the road trip to Louisiana, the joyride in the plane and then this week.
We have hung out quite a bit since she has come home, we have talked for hours and just kicked back and relaxed. Things are going great. I took her out to eat this Friday and came back to her house and watched a movie. I had such a great time. Last night aroung 6:30 a friend called and asked if I wanted 2 tickets to the Rodney Carrington show at the comedy club for free. I jumped on it, we managed to get ready and head down there just in time. We laughed the entire time, it was great. Once we made it back to her house we sat on the porch for a while and talked some more. The time we spend talking is amazing, we talk and talk about everything. She sat in my lap and I could have slept right there in that chair. I made it home around 1 in the morning and slept like a rock.
On another note this month just keeps getting better. Next weekend is the white water rafting trip up in TN. Saturday we will be on the Ocoee river and after that I have reservations for us at the Hilton in Chattanooga, where we will relax for the evening and the next morning go to the huge TN Aquarium and then the Imax Theater.
One final bit of great news before I start studying for my math final. I received a phone call Thursday from a company I interviewed with some time ago. They asked me if I could come in THAT DAY for a final interview. So I made it there for the interview and the first thing Friday morning, they offered me the job and sent me a written proposal. Not only are we talking about a freaking awesome raise, it's only 10 minutes from my house (VS 30 mile drive to work now), and only 5 minutes from the college, so I will save a ton of money on gas. So it looks like I will be putting in my two week notice tomorrow morning. They are sending me to Houston, TX on August 8th for training until the 11th.
I have the lake house again on the 12th and we are going to see Marc Broussard in Nashville, TN on the 13th. Talk about the ride of a lifetime! I thank the lord for all of his blessings and give thanks to him for this wonderful time in my life.
We have hung out quite a bit since she has come home, we have talked for hours and just kicked back and relaxed. Things are going great. I took her out to eat this Friday and came back to her house and watched a movie. I had such a great time. Last night aroung 6:30 a friend called and asked if I wanted 2 tickets to the Rodney Carrington show at the comedy club for free. I jumped on it, we managed to get ready and head down there just in time. We laughed the entire time, it was great. Once we made it back to her house we sat on the porch for a while and talked some more. The time we spend talking is amazing, we talk and talk about everything. She sat in my lap and I could have slept right there in that chair. I made it home around 1 in the morning and slept like a rock.
On another note this month just keeps getting better. Next weekend is the white water rafting trip up in TN. Saturday we will be on the Ocoee river and after that I have reservations for us at the Hilton in Chattanooga, where we will relax for the evening and the next morning go to the huge TN Aquarium and then the Imax Theater.
One final bit of great news before I start studying for my math final. I received a phone call Thursday from a company I interviewed with some time ago. They asked me if I could come in THAT DAY for a final interview. So I made it there for the interview and the first thing Friday morning, they offered me the job and sent me a written proposal. Not only are we talking about a freaking awesome raise, it's only 10 minutes from my house (VS 30 mile drive to work now), and only 5 minutes from the college, so I will save a ton of money on gas. So it looks like I will be putting in my two week notice tomorrow morning. They are sending me to Houston, TX on August 8th for training until the 11th.
I have the lake house again on the 12th and we are going to see Marc Broussard in Nashville, TN on the 13th. Talk about the ride of a lifetime! I thank the lord for all of his blessings and give thanks to him for this wonderful time in my life.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
I am still in the air
This is pretty damn cool.
I've seen my house, Kim's house, and Erik's house. It's getting dark and the sunset is amazing. I've got some good pics. We are about 3500 ft in the air and playing around up here. We are climbing up to about 5000 ft. The clouds are beautiful. Its a cool 66 degrees up here. It feels great up here. Our top speed has been around 140 mph. Its good to be me sometimes
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
I am stratoblogging
How cool is this!
I am blogging from 3000ft in the air. I've always wanted to fly in a small plane so I figured I would I would Blog this. Hopefully I will get to pilot this for a while I will have pictures up tonight.
This time I am not the captain. Thank the good lord. Wish me luck and hope I make it back down.
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
Awesome Music Mixes
Ok people, get ready for this. I found this collection of some amazing mixes. Some are not that great but the majority of them ROCK. Free downloads of all of them. Check them out and let me know what you all think. I got them all and I am taking them home tonight and making a few CD's. Here is a couple I love.
Audioslave VS Lumidee = Lumislave - Show Me How To Leave
Daft Queen - Another One Bites Da Funk
Hives VS Progidy - Hate To Smack My Bitch
Get them all here Music Mixes
Audioslave VS Lumidee = Lumislave - Show Me How To Leave
Daft Queen - Another One Bites Da Funk
Hives VS Progidy - Hate To Smack My Bitch
Get them all here Music Mixes
World of Warcraft a big hit in China
Blizzard, the people behind MMORPG World of Warcraft, launched a Chinese version of WoW in China and claims to have got 1.5 million paying customers in China just a month after launch. To put this into perspective, WoW has 3.5 million players worldwide - in other words a month after launching into China Blizzard can now count just over 44% of their player base in the one country.
Read more...
Read more...
Gigabyte G-X5
Gigabyte, makers of all things motherboardish, are diving into the plethora of mobile phone manufacturers with the new G-X5 phone and also a PDA phone. Gigabyte Communications is the actual manufacturer of this phone, a subsidiary of the motherboard makers. The G-X5 will contain all of the standard bells and whistles of modern mobile phones. These are planned for release in Taiwan.
Gigabyte Phones
Wood-embedded PC electronics
It’s becoming clearer and clearer that wood inlay in electronics is the new in-thing in gear trends. Sure we’ve seen it in watches and headphones, but Swedish company Swedx has kicked it up a notch with their line of wood embedded LCDs, keyboards, and mice. You can even go so far as to pick your choice of wood (natural ash, natural sapele, or natural beech) to match your existing furniture. Wood cabin decor must be hip these days.
SWEDX
Resident Evil 5 confirmed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Recent news have shown that Resident Evil 5 is being developed for both the PlayStation 3 and the Microsoft Xbox 360, the game is expected to continue the plot where the latest installment left off. Oddly enough, the Nintendo Revolution isn't listed as one of consoles that will support the latest Resident Evil game, contrary to the situation given with the current generation of consoles where Resident Evil has been more or less of a Gamecube exclusive
Bob is Overrated
For those of you who know me closely, Bob is the name I gave the sun. Everyone knows that Bob and I do not get along. I am a man of fair skin (red head), and we all know how red heads have a tendancy to burn to a crisp after only a few hours of direct sunlight. In my short time in this world, I have managed to have 3 heat strokes. I had 1 major heat stroke while I was in the Army out in Ft. Sill OK.
After that I have never really been able to adapt to high temperatures that well. You can imagine my joy this morning when I heard on the radio that the Heat Index will be between 105-110 degrees F and humidity near 100%. I need to find me a cool place to crawl under and hibernate through the summer.
After that I have never really been able to adapt to high temperatures that well. You can imagine my joy this morning when I heard on the radio that the Heat Index will be between 105-110 degrees F and humidity near 100%. I need to find me a cool place to crawl under and hibernate through the summer.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
One of those days!
This morning was a freaking nightmare. One problem after another, phone call after phone call, meeting after meeting. Usually this makes for a fast day. This is not the case for today. I feel like I've done 3 weeks worth of work before lunch and here it is only 3:00pm. After lunch everything came to a screeching halt.
I am no accountant, so please stop asking me where all the COGS, WIPS, BOM's, and GPR's get their numbers from. I have no idea, that is what the software is for. Just let me set here and handle business.
I completely forgot about tomorrow. A friend of mine's boss is going to take me and her husband up for a joy ride in his little four seater plane. I've never flown in something that small but I am up for it. Weather permitting we will go up after work tomorrow and I hope I get to take some good pics.
I am no accountant, so please stop asking me where all the COGS, WIPS, BOM's, and GPR's get their numbers from. I have no idea, that is what the software is for. Just let me set here and handle business.
I completely forgot about tomorrow. A friend of mine's boss is going to take me and her husband up for a joy ride in his little four seater plane. I've never flown in something that small but I am up for it. Weather permitting we will go up after work tomorrow and I hope I get to take some good pics.
Seagate's shift to perpendicular recording
Nearly all of hard-disk drive maker Seagate Technology LLC's products will use perpendicular recording technology by the end of 2006, the company's chief financial officer said today.
Perpendicular recording promises big capacity boosts for drives used in servers, PCs, notebooks and portable devices. The technology works by standing the magnetic fields that represent data bits upright instead of flat on the surface of the disk as is common with nearly all of today's drives. Standing the fields upright means they take up less space, enabling more data to be crammed on the disk.
The capacity boosts that Seagate promises will come first on the company's 2.5-inch disks for notebook PCs and 1-inch disks for portable electronics, and then with 3.5-inch disks for desktop PCs and servers, said Charles Pope, the company's chief financial officer, said in a conference call announcing the company's year-end financial results.
Perpendicular recording promises big capacity boosts for drives used in servers, PCs, notebooks and portable devices. The technology works by standing the magnetic fields that represent data bits upright instead of flat on the surface of the disk as is common with nearly all of today's drives. Standing the fields upright means they take up less space, enabling more data to be crammed on the disk.
The capacity boosts that Seagate promises will come first on the company's 2.5-inch disks for notebook PCs and 1-inch disks for portable electronics, and then with 3.5-inch disks for desktop PCs and servers, said Charles Pope, the company's chief financial officer, said in a conference call announcing the company's year-end financial results.
James Doohan, 'Star Trek's' Scotty, dead
James Doohan, the burly chief engineer of the Starship Enterprise in the original "Star Trek" TV series and motion pictures who responded to the apocryphal command "Beam me up, Scotty," died early Wednesday. He was 85.
Doohan died at 5:30 a.m. at his Redmond, Washington, home with his wife of 28 years, Wende, at his side, Los Angeles agent and longtime friend Steve Stevens said. The cause of death was pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease, he said. (CNN, AP)
Doohan died at 5:30 a.m. at his Redmond, Washington, home with his wife of 28 years, Wende, at his side, Los Angeles agent and longtime friend Steve Stevens said. The cause of death was pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease, he said. (CNN, AP)
The End of The World Explained
Here is a must see flash animation. I was laughing so hard I had my diet coke going everywhere
Check it out
Check it out
Death Star Home Cinema Subwoofer
On today's list of strange and exotic things on Ebay we have this. The Death Star Subwoofer. Pretty cool actualy and after reading the specs on it. I would like to hear this thing.
Check it out.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
How many lives does this cat have?
I managed to make a clean sweep of my exam tonight, mostly because the teacher stood right behind me and said that's right. After class she sat down with me and helped me finish 6 assignments. That will sure pick my average up.
Now all I have to do is two make up test in math and my final (which is one third of the grade). Luckily I have a damn good tutor (and good looking as well). Now to watch the calendar for the 30th!
Now all I have to do is two make up test in math and my final (which is one third of the grade). Luckily I have a damn good tutor (and good looking as well). Now to watch the calendar for the 30th!
It's only Tuesday yet July is nearing an end
It's crazy, the weeks go by so slow yet the months seem to fly by. I am trying to finalize my plans for the weekend of the 30th and I was checking the due dates of my assignments. I have about 12 assignments to have done by Sunday. That sounds like a lot but the majority of them come from my OS class which I hardly even have to open the book for. But the Programming Logic class has been more of a challenge that I thought it would be.
I guess it goes back to the whole Goldfish Syndrome. I can learn everything in class and feel like I have a good grasp on it all, but when I get home, it's all greek to me.
I guess it goes back to the whole Goldfish Syndrome. I can learn everything in class and feel like I have a good grasp on it all, but when I get home, it's all greek to me.
Spud Trooper
If you're a true geek like me, you should be able to look to the right or left of your computer monitor and see Darth Tater staring back at you with that "I'm going to choke you using the force" look on his face. Now he'll have a Storm Trooper buddy to protect him from the rebel scum. The Star Wars Spud Trooper ($11; available late July) proves once and for all why all Mr. Potato Heads look they same — apparently they were all cloned on the planet of Kamino alongside Jango Fett.
Remember, nerds are just nerds, Geeks get things done!
Do you like to Flash?
I like to pick at people, it's my nature. If I leave you alone and don't give you a hard time, then chances are I don't like you.
Annoy this guy
This took quite a bit of time and effort, it's pretty cool. Take some time to check this one out.
Modern Living/Nuerotica series
Are you a fan of stomp?
Check this out
Tell me how to drive and I'll tell you what kind of idiot you are.
Yes and No
Fun with ASCII
Typorganism
Timeline clock
Interesting
I love this one!
Damn rabbit!
Annoy this guy
This took quite a bit of time and effort, it's pretty cool. Take some time to check this one out.
Modern Living/Nuerotica series
Are you a fan of stomp?
Check this out
Tell me how to drive and I'll tell you what kind of idiot you are.
Yes and No
Fun with ASCII
Typorganism
Timeline clock
Interesting
I love this one!
Damn rabbit!
In a Perfect World
In a perfect world we wouldn't be plagued by our fears and our emotions. We would not worry about what will be and just live our life day by day. Things are never as complicated as we make them seem. Sometimes a situation is truly black and white, no grey area, no real obstacles, just an obvious problem with an obvious solution.
As I go day by day, I think about how my life has changed and will change time and time again, but over the course of these changes I welcome these new events and I am excited to live in this moment. I am cursed with being human, so sometimes my emotions and fears can get the best of me. Still, I drive on playing my part in the play of life. I am not the lead character. God takes that role and I am just a actor that follows his lead.
As I go day by day, I think about how my life has changed and will change time and time again, but over the course of these changes I welcome these new events and I am excited to live in this moment. I am cursed with being human, so sometimes my emotions and fears can get the best of me. Still, I drive on playing my part in the play of life. I am not the lead character. God takes that role and I am just a actor that follows his lead.
Goldfish Syndrome
I swear I have the attention span of a goldfish. I try to stay focused on one thing then OOOH, something shiny, and I am off in left field somewhere. No, forget that I am not even in the ball park anymore. I have managed to skate by the last few days (who knows how), my mind is completely preoccupied with other things.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Do I have to go to school?
That's the problem with college, you don't have your mom yelling at you telling you to get your butt to school. I have decided to take the next level of math next semester and something really really easy like underwater basket weaving or something. I will probably take some BS computer science elective just so I can focus on work and math.
Have I mentioned how much I hate math?
Have I mentioned how much I hate math?
Verizon Wireless to sell Electronic Arts games
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless, the No. 2 U.S. mobile provider, will sell video games from Electronic Arts Inc. to its customers in coming weeks, the companies said on Monday.
Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, said it would provide games including Madden NFL 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and NBA Live 06 to customers of its VCast high-speed data service first launched in February.
Mobile phone gaming is one of the fastest-growing segments of the video game industry, and service providers are embracing wireless game downloads as a additional source of revenue.
Top video game provider Electronic Arts said in May it planned to launch 15 to 20 games for mobile phones this year, with expectations for up to $25 million in revenue.
Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group Plc, said it would provide games including Madden NFL 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and NBA Live 06 to customers of its VCast high-speed data service first launched in February.
Mobile phone gaming is one of the fastest-growing segments of the video game industry, and service providers are embracing wireless game downloads as a additional source of revenue.
Top video game provider Electronic Arts said in May it planned to launch 15 to 20 games for mobile phones this year, with expectations for up to $25 million in revenue.
Clinton to propose legislation on video games
Any who would sell or rent M- and AO-rated video games to minors have a new enemy in Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).
Clinton announced yesterday her intention to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting the nation's children against violent and pornographic video games by imposing fines on any retailer selling or renting such games to children under 18.
Read more... (The Evening Telegram)
Clinton announced yesterday her intention to introduce new legislation aimed at protecting the nation's children against violent and pornographic video games by imposing fines on any retailer selling or renting such games to children under 18.
Read more... (The Evening Telegram)
Ten year-old becomes Microsoft engineer
Arfa Karim Randhawa, age 10, has become the youngest person to be certified as a Microsoft engineer. Yes, 10. You did read that correctly. After first discovering computers at the age of five Randhawa pestered her father for a PC. She has been accepted into Pakistan's Applied Technologies advanced computer institute. Randhawa is now a Microsoft Certified Application Developer but plans to become a Microsoft Certifie Solution Developer which involves building programs into broader systems for business.
Arfa, who is from Faisalabad in Pakistan, passed her Microsoft Certified Professional examinations last year. Her future plans include Harvard, or a career at Microsoft.
Arfa, who is from Faisalabad in Pakistan, passed her Microsoft Certified Professional examinations last year. Her future plans include Harvard, or a career at Microsoft.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
I made it back
It's one busy weekend. I haven't been home in over a week and a half. I was at the lake house all last weekend and last week. I left out early Friday morning for Louisiana and I made it back in early this morning. I will spare you all the details of my trip, but I had a great time. And it was one trip I could not miss. I finally feel like things are shaping up around here. Now to get caught up on college!
My new look
The shaggy messed up hair look is in, or so they say.
I told my hairstylist to just let loose and do something different. Let me know what you think.
I told my hairstylist to just let loose and do something different. Let me know what you think.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Gone for the weekend
I am going on a road trip tomorrow, so I will not be posting much. If something is worth sharing I will use the crackberry. Lots of love to my peeps and I will have some pics up soon.
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
Once you go Black (Berry) you'll never go back!
The BlackBerry 7100T
It is insane how dependent I have become on this phone. I have since renamed it my "CrackBerry". I once had a top of the line HP iPaq 5555 PDA and used it in conjunction with my Sony Ericsson T-610 to surf the web and check email. After getting my hands on the BB 7100T, it was bliss. I was able to combine all the features that I used with the phone and PDA into one nice little package.
The interface is almost indentical to Outlook (from which I live in) so it is really user friendly. The instant email on the go has been worth its weight in gold! Even when I am away from a computer I always have access to anything.
The 7100 series does have it's share of shortcomings, things like battery life, bluetooth only supports headsets and not data transfer, the speakerphone could be louder and the display is really easy to scratch.
However, the benefits of having this little jewel means never missing an important email, task, appointment, etc. The BB sync sofware is (in my oppinion) better than most. It's fast, easy to use and you can charge your phone via USB cable.
I never wanted a BlackBerry in the past because of the sheer size of most models, but if you want the almost endless capabilities of a BB and the perfect integration of a phone, then the 7100 series is the choice to make.
Check out all of the 7100 series.
It is insane how dependent I have become on this phone. I have since renamed it my "CrackBerry". I once had a top of the line HP iPaq 5555 PDA and used it in conjunction with my Sony Ericsson T-610 to surf the web and check email. After getting my hands on the BB 7100T, it was bliss. I was able to combine all the features that I used with the phone and PDA into one nice little package.The interface is almost indentical to Outlook (from which I live in) so it is really user friendly. The instant email on the go has been worth its weight in gold! Even when I am away from a computer I always have access to anything.
The 7100 series does have it's share of shortcomings, things like battery life, bluetooth only supports headsets and not data transfer, the speakerphone could be louder and the display is really easy to scratch.
However, the benefits of having this little jewel means never missing an important email, task, appointment, etc. The BB sync sofware is (in my oppinion) better than most. It's fast, easy to use and you can charge your phone via USB cable.
I never wanted a BlackBerry in the past because of the sheer size of most models, but if you want the almost endless capabilities of a BB and the perfect integration of a phone, then the 7100 series is the choice to make.
Check out all of the 7100 series.
Here is a pet peeve for ya
Ok I have to express a little annoyance in the world that minor but just irritates me beyond all believe.
Grown men wearing shoes with Velcro straps on them. I mean really if you have not learned to tie your damn shoes before you graduate high school wear penny loafers. I know its minor but still irritating. I just had to get that out.
40 Things That Only Happen In Movies
This is funny and true, things like:
All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red digital displays so you know exactly when they are going to explode.
If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps.
You will survive any battle in any war UNLESS you show someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.
Check them out!
All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red digital displays so you know exactly when they are going to explode.
If you decide to start dancing in the street, everyone you bump into will know all the steps.
You will survive any battle in any war UNLESS you show someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.
Check them out!
Corel takes on Microsoft Outlook
Corel has announced it would offer its new e-mail client as a standalone product in a bid to offer a viable alternative to Outlook. The client was part of the WordPerfect Office suite, but Corel decided to offer WordPerfect Mail on its own and competitively price to win converts from Microsoft Office.
"The addition of WordPerfect Mail to the Corel product family supports WordPerfect Office's position as the only truly viable alternative to Microsoft Office," said Richard Carriere, General Manager for Office Productivity at Corel. "With the addition of a world-class email client, Corel is advancing its commitment to consumers and small businesses."
Read more...
"The addition of WordPerfect Mail to the Corel product family supports WordPerfect Office's position as the only truly viable alternative to Microsoft Office," said Richard Carriere, General Manager for Office Productivity at Corel. "With the addition of a world-class email client, Corel is advancing its commitment to consumers and small businesses."
Read more...
Mobile phone fuel cells
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells mix methanol, air and water to make electricity.
A fuel cell technology that will offer a quick fix for dead or dying mobile phone batteries could be available in Japan by 2007, Japan's two biggest mobile communications carriers said today at the Wireless Japan 2005 Expo.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), which typically work by mixing methanol with air and water to produce electrical power, have for years been promoted as an alternative to lithium ion batteries used in notebook PCs and other portable electronics gear. DMFCs are useful because power can be instantly provided by inserting a fuel cartridge recharger, developers say.
Read the story.
A fuel cell technology that will offer a quick fix for dead or dying mobile phone batteries could be available in Japan by 2007, Japan's two biggest mobile communications carriers said today at the Wireless Japan 2005 Expo.
Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), which typically work by mixing methanol with air and water to produce electrical power, have for years been promoted as an alternative to lithium ion batteries used in notebook PCs and other portable electronics gear. DMFCs are useful because power can be instantly provided by inserting a fuel cartridge recharger, developers say.
Read the story.
Fujitsu Creates Electronic Paper
Fujitsu has created a form of epaper that can hold images even when unpowered and can gather information wirelessly, leading to some interesting potential uses. The first, and most obvious, thing would be digital newspapers and magazines.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
How amazing
What an amazing turn in my life. I've prayed for something like this for the last couple of years, but I never thought my prayers would have been answered like this. Things have never been this exciting before. Someone mentioned how things are just falling so "right" and I couldn't agree more. The last month has been full of ups and downs. Right now I am so high I can't see the ground. I've got so much to look forward to over the next couple of months. I'm going white water rafting on the 30th, I've got another lake trip planned for August, and a concert that no one could stop me from going to.
And the best part is, I get to spend these times with someone who means the world to me.
And the best part is, I get to spend these times with someone who means the world to me.
Home DVD sales falling
Although Hollywood has taken a beating at the box office this year, with revenues down sharply from 2004, there's always the promise of strong DVD sales for popular titles, right?
Maybe not anymore, as sales of theatrical releases to consumers have taken an unexpected nosedive (registration required). Sales were expected to taper off a bit as those interested in amassing a DVD library of their favorite films achieved their goal. However, revenues from DVD sales have dipped so much that publicly-traded Dreamworks warned Wall Street that it would miss its earnings targets for the current quarter, due in no small part to lower-than-expected sales of "Shrek 2." 11 days earlier, Pixar issued a similar warning because of slow "The Incredibles" DVD sales.
Read more... (Ars Technica)
'Call it a theory, but I bet rentals are way up these days ;-)
Maybe not anymore, as sales of theatrical releases to consumers have taken an unexpected nosedive (registration required). Sales were expected to taper off a bit as those interested in amassing a DVD library of their favorite films achieved their goal. However, revenues from DVD sales have dipped so much that publicly-traded Dreamworks warned Wall Street that it would miss its earnings targets for the current quarter, due in no small part to lower-than-expected sales of "Shrek 2." 11 days earlier, Pixar issued a similar warning because of slow "The Incredibles" DVD sales.
Read more... (Ars Technica)
'Call it a theory, but I bet rentals are way up these days ;-)
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
College woes
Typical Tuesday, waiting on the teacher to show up. Man I have really lucked out. I skipped this class last week and it just so happens that only one student actually showed up. So instead of 6 assignments late, I only have 2 late and maybe I can sweet talk her into letting me make them up. She said she was going to extend the deadline for the other 4 assignments.
Now if I can only get my math done tonight I will be set for the week. I wish this semester would get over with. I want to know who's bright idea was it to go full time during the summer. I know one thing, if I find him I am going to kick his ass!
Now if I can only get my math done tonight I will be set for the week. I wish this semester would get over with. I want to know who's bright idea was it to go full time during the summer. I know one thing, if I find him I am going to kick his ass!
Does your first car influence who you are?
I was reading this post from Mickey Finn about her first car and she asked if anyone else have fond memories of his/her first car. Once I started to make my comment, I had an epiphany. You see my first car was a 1990 Jeep Cherokee 4 door 4x4. I was 16 at the time and my self esteem wasn't quite what it is these days. I had the typical acne and was a little overweight, basically your average 16 y/o kid at the time. That vehicle actually boosted me and helped me through that time in my life.
It was a nice clean Jeep. Rugged and versatile, I developed a real sense of adventure. It was roomy and comfortable and all my friends would pile in and head out. Everyone loved the Jeep. I kept a duffel bag in the back filled with a sleeping bag, pillow, change of clothes, and a shower kit. I became a vagabond of sorts. Wherever I stopped is where I slept. All I had to do was fold the seat down and viola, instant bedroom.
It was a common occurrence to see the Jeep at the lake (at one of our many after football game Friday night parties) backed up to the campfire with the liftgate open, music just a blasting. I spent many nights in the back of that Jeep and as far as memories go, well some things are best left not talked about.
But it was with this in mind that I realized how important that Jeep was to me when I was young. I would like to say that the Jeep symbolized me. Rough, tough, versatile, outgoing and independent, but after putting some thought into it, I was trying to become what the Jeep symbolized. It worked, that Jeep actually helped shape me into the person I have become.
Maybe I am way off base here. I know this holds true in my case, but I would like to know what you think about this theory and I would love to here stories about how a vehicle might have changed you.
Let me know what you think.
It was a nice clean Jeep. Rugged and versatile, I developed a real sense of adventure. It was roomy and comfortable and all my friends would pile in and head out. Everyone loved the Jeep. I kept a duffel bag in the back filled with a sleeping bag, pillow, change of clothes, and a shower kit. I became a vagabond of sorts. Wherever I stopped is where I slept. All I had to do was fold the seat down and viola, instant bedroom.
It was a common occurrence to see the Jeep at the lake (at one of our many after football game Friday night parties) backed up to the campfire with the liftgate open, music just a blasting. I spent many nights in the back of that Jeep and as far as memories go, well some things are best left not talked about.
But it was with this in mind that I realized how important that Jeep was to me when I was young. I would like to say that the Jeep symbolized me. Rough, tough, versatile, outgoing and independent, but after putting some thought into it, I was trying to become what the Jeep symbolized. It worked, that Jeep actually helped shape me into the person I have become.
Maybe I am way off base here. I know this holds true in my case, but I would like to know what you think about this theory and I would love to here stories about how a vehicle might have changed you.
Let me know what you think.
Small or smaller
I love portability and seagate's newest hard drives are breaking the mold. With these sizes of 1.8" Or 2.5" Ultraportable Drives, storage capacities of up to 100 GB's and seek times ranging around 15 ms via USB 2.0, these new drives are pushing through the flash barrier.
Check it out.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Rockstar denies sex in San Andreas
Here's an update to the ealier post regarding GTA SA.
Rockstar has denied that the "Hot Coffee" pornographic mini-game, which is enabled by a mod for Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, is actually a part of the game, after it became the subject of an investigation by the ESRB in North America.
San Andreas is currently rated M (Mature) by the ESRB, but last week the ratings board came under fire from Californian assemblyman Leland Yee, who accused the board of failing parents and generally being untrustworthy after news of the Hot Coffee mod broke.
Read more... (gamesindustry.biz)
Rockstar has denied that the "Hot Coffee" pornographic mini-game, which is enabled by a mod for Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, is actually a part of the game, after it became the subject of an investigation by the ESRB in North America.
San Andreas is currently rated M (Mature) by the ESRB, but last week the ratings board came under fire from Californian assemblyman Leland Yee, who accused the board of failing parents and generally being untrustworthy after news of the Hot Coffee mod broke.
Read more... (gamesindustry.biz)
T-Mobile Launches Razr
Now based on the reviews I have read, the Razr is nothing more than a pretty paperweight that can be used as a phone (sometimes), however I am glad to see T-Mobile opening their selection up a little more. Since T-mobile stopped carrying Sony Ericsson phones (which I am a big fan of), I have been disturbed by their lack of quality phones.
T-mobile's news release
Games ratings board probing Grand Theft Auto:SA
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The industry group that sets ratings for video games is probing whether hidden features within the blockbuster title "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" allows players to make their characters engage in simulated explicit sex acts.
The series of criminal adventure games from Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. subsidiary Rockstar Games has been among the best selling in history, while drawing sharp criticism for encouraging gratuitous violence. If the investigation were to lead to a rating change from M (Mature 17+) to AO (Adult Only), it could limit sales from major retail outlets.
Read the whole story.
The series of criminal adventure games from Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. subsidiary Rockstar Games has been among the best selling in history, while drawing sharp criticism for encouraging gratuitous violence. If the investigation were to lead to a rating change from M (Mature 17+) to AO (Adult Only), it could limit sales from major retail outlets.
Read the whole story.
The Ultimate In-Car Entertainment PC
Details are still coming out (mostly due to translation issues Korean language + Flash files = pain in the ass), but various sites have been able to deduce that the INFILL T3 is powered by a 1.0 or 1.6Ghz CPU and offers 40GB of storage, DVD drive, TV tuner, GPS, voice control, USB, remote, and one empty mini PCI slot (where's the Wi-Fi?). Moreover, the T3 is either pre-loaded with Windows XP and/or can be upgraded to MCE.
Check it out.
Personal Securer
A new look on GSM/GPS personal security devices.
Your own guardian – the PERSONAL SECURER is especially designed for achieving of maximum level of personal and asset safety and precision in tracking and positioning
The PERSONAL SECURER is mainly a Security device, but also a GSM/GPRS mobile phone (900/1800/1900 MHz) with restricted functions. Attached to the PC it becomes GSM/GPRS modem and GPS receiver. In case of danger – by pressing the Panic button an integrated alarm hooter is being activated and the GPS coordinates are sent to preconfigured phone number(s). The Call buttons allow two-way audio communication at any moment with two different predefined numbers.
Check it out.
Router functions dropped from PS3 spec
But Sony many have other plans for its bank of Gigabit Ethernet ports.
The PlayStation 3 will no longer act as a home network router, according to Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ken Kutaragi, who has revealed that the functionality has been dropped because it would have been too expensive. Speaking with Japanese publication Nikkei Electronics, Kutaragi said that the original specification for the PS3 would have allowed the system's three Gigabit Ethernet ports to be used as a home router.
However, this functionality has now been dropped since it would have made the console cost too much to manufacture, he admitted - and Sony now expects that users will continue to use their existing router hardware, which is becoming more commonplace in households with broadband internet connections. Whether that means the bank of network ports on the back of the box has actually been reduced to a single port is not clear, however, as the company has previously hinted that it has other plans in mind for the multiple network ports.
The news that the system was intended for use as a router or hub was first revealed at E3, when Sony's Phil Harrison told GamesIndustry.biz that "it can be a hub, rather than just being a terminal at the end of a network."
"Also, we want to be able to have a Gigabit port for an IP camera," he revealed. "So one of the ports is an in, and two of them are through. It can be a server as well as a terminal."
The PlayStation 3 will no longer act as a home network router, according to Sony Computer Entertainment boss Ken Kutaragi, who has revealed that the functionality has been dropped because it would have been too expensive. Speaking with Japanese publication Nikkei Electronics, Kutaragi said that the original specification for the PS3 would have allowed the system's three Gigabit Ethernet ports to be used as a home router.
However, this functionality has now been dropped since it would have made the console cost too much to manufacture, he admitted - and Sony now expects that users will continue to use their existing router hardware, which is becoming more commonplace in households with broadband internet connections. Whether that means the bank of network ports on the back of the box has actually been reduced to a single port is not clear, however, as the company has previously hinted that it has other plans in mind for the multiple network ports.
The news that the system was intended for use as a router or hub was first revealed at E3, when Sony's Phil Harrison told GamesIndustry.biz that "it can be a hub, rather than just being a terminal at the end of a network."
"Also, we want to be able to have a Gigabit port for an IP camera," he revealed. "So one of the ports is an in, and two of them are through. It can be a server as well as a terminal."
Damn the Rain!
At least I was able to relax this weekend. We all had a good time Friday night and most of Saturday. We kept it simple with just a handful of people, so things would not get out of hand. The rain set in Saturday evening and hasn't stopped since. I still have the rest of the week.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Sitting at the lake house
Well I am all set for the weekend. Blaze and I are getting things for the party. We will be blogging via my BlackBerry over the course of the weekend since my sis decided to take her laptop. After the weekend I will be sure to post some pics
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
Ingorance is bliss and a lot of people are smiling!
I've been in a pretty good mood today all in all. While I was out for lunch I stopped by the bank. A man was walking past me with his work shirt on with his name on it. So I said hey Greg like he was a long lost friend and he stood there and tried to make idle chit chat with me, he had no clue that I didn't know him from Adam's house cat. Then I am standing in line at the bank waiting forever and this young lady was standing behind me and made a comment about how longit is taking. When I turned around, the first thing I seen was her nametag, she worked at holiday inn, so feeling cheeky I said "well hey Nikki" and again she never realized that I had no idea who she was. At this point I was trying my best not to laugh and it was my turn at the teller, so I walked up there and again said "hey Cindy", she just looked at me strange and said hi. Are people just not aware that they are wearing nametags?
Dual Core And The Future of Gaming
Will games that harness dual-core CPU power be something to get excited about?
Intel and AMD's introductions of dual-core processors may have ushered in a new age of computing, but so far, these new architectures have done little to radically change the PC gaming experience. As our tests showed in the Pentium D 840 dual core processor works only as fast as the single-core Pentium Extreme Edition counterpart with an equal clock speed. A Pentium Extreme Edition with a faster clock speed thus runs faster than the dual core Pentium D.
Of course, we won't discount how Windows XP is already equipped to take advantage of AMD and Intel's dual-core designs by accommodating a significant number of program threads. This means that, in addition to those many nagging programs that start up every time you boot up your PC, you can run many more processor-intensive programs without worrying about your PC slowing down as much, compared to single-core CPU platforms. You can thus frag away at those hideously scary adversaries in Doom III, while in the background you download a video file, run Outlook Express and keep dozens of Web browser and word processor documents open with less risk of your PC glitching up.
Over 8,000 hits!
Thanks again to my readers and the passer bys that take the time to read my thoughts and interests. I have met some really great people in the blogoshpere and this blog has been such an outlet for me.
Thanks,
Wes
Thanks,
Wes
The tie that binds
There is a bond between us that you cannot ignore. Deep down inside of you there is a feeling that I feel from you. You know that I speak the truth and I have waited years for this opportunity. I am willing to wait as long as it takes to be with you. You mean the world to me and there has never been anyone in my life that can relate to my life like you do. We both have been through our rough spots in our life, and somehow we managed to overcome our obstacles and learn from our mistakes. I can only hope and pray that you realize the words that I speak are true. I know this will take some time to evolve to what I want it to be, but I have never been so ready.
Me
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Life is so precious
We take for granted the friendship and families of our life. I was made aware of some unsettling news tonight. One of my beloved friends who I look up to and admire dearly, is having some health problems. I couldn't help but to get emotional. This woman has been a huge rock in my life the entire time we have been friends.
I want you to know that my prayers and many more are with you. If there is anyting I can do, please let me know.
AND STOP CALLING ME SIR! THAT'S AN DIRECT ORDER!
I want you to know that my prayers and many more are with you. If there is anyting I can do, please let me know.
AND STOP CALLING ME SIR! THAT'S AN DIRECT ORDER!
Hurricane season
Well we got blasted with rain from Cindy or whatever it was named. Now we have Dennis coming for us. My sister was going to go to Orange Beach for vacation so now they are trying to head north. If my sis can't get reservations for Myrtle Beach then I will not have the lake house for the week.
However, there is a good side to that. If they don't go this weekend, they will go the first week of August and that means I will have special company over!
However, there is a good side to that. If they don't go this weekend, they will go the first week of August and that means I will have special company over!
The Rotolog Watch
"We make the little shit better," say the watchmakers at Nixon. And after seeing their newest design, I can't help but agree. Stylish, water-resistant and precise. The watch boasts impressive-sounding technology ("custom right-read Direct Time Japanese quartz with LED") and a sleek inlay of real walnut wood in stainless steel, and it's available from Nixon for an affordable $200. Very retro!
How much do you love football?
OK, I understand that to some football is much more than a sport but...come on. Check out the link. It's just weird.
Sony battles hackers over hijacked games
Hackers have cracked piracy protections on Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Portable in the United States, the latest chapter in the company's battle to block unauthorized game use on its new hand-held device. The world's top maker of video game consoles rolled out a downloadable fix for the software flaw that opened the door for the latest attack by hackers, who quickly cracked the original version of the PSP shortly after its release in Japan late last year.
Would you like to know more?
Would you like to know more?
New m:robe MP3 players
With my last experience with M:Robe, I doubt I would suggest any of them, but this one caught my eye.
"The best part of this flash player is the beautiful 650,000 OLED LCD, which, as always, makes us wonder why they don’t make mini media players using flash memory. It’s actually very frustrating, because, as we all know, the value of being able to display JPEGs on something this small is more of a gee-whiz feature rather than a must-have.
Regular deal: 512- to 1-GB flash memory, voice and direct line-in recording, FM tuner, and OGG support."
New m:robe MP3 players
Hackers deface Microsoft's UK website
Microsoft's UK web site was defaced late on Tuesday night with a message in support of Venezuelan hacker Rafa. Defacement archive Zone-H reports that well-known defacer Apocalypse hacked into Microsoft's UK web site (microsoft.co.uk) and uploaded a picture with the message "FREE RAFA - HACK IS NOT A CRIME."
Would you like to know more?
Would you like to know more?
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Dodging a Bulllet
I don't think I have enough Irish in me to call it the luck of the Irish, but I lucked out tonight. With the holiday weekend and everything else going on, I didn't have time to even look at my math. We have a test every week and like I said, I am not doing that well. Tonight, instead of taking the test, the instructor made it a take home test. It's a good thing too, because I know I would have bombed it.
Now I have my mid-term tomorrow night in my OS class and I'll be set for the weekend.
Now I have my mid-term tomorrow night in my OS class and I'll be set for the weekend.
I hate math
Well at least I am still holding a passing average. Three more classes to go and maybe I can keep my head above water.
Sent wirelessly via BlackBerry from T-Mobile.
Gates: Get ready for chip implants
Technological advances will one day allow computers to be implanted in the human body and could help the blind see and the deaf hear, according to Bill Gates. But the Microsoft chairman says he's not ready to be hardwired.
"One of the guys that works at Microsoft always says to me 'I'm ready, plug me in,"' Gates said at a Microsoft seminar in Singapore.
Read more... (CNN)
"One of the guys that works at Microsoft always says to me 'I'm ready, plug me in,"' Gates said at a Microsoft seminar in Singapore.
Read more... (CNN)
Sniper Bass
This is a bass shaped like a sniper rifle. Practical? No. But this gets an 11 on the coolness meter because it even features a real laser sight. Just imagine the look on the TSA officer’s face when you pull this bad boy out of your carry-on and begin wailing some Journey. You’ll have the entire airport dancing! Then you’ll be all like “IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN” while they search your rectum.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Am I getting shy?
I have to say that I am a very comfortable speaker. You can put me in front of the biggest crowd and tell me to talk to them about anything and it's no problem. But everytime I talk to you I get this feeling .... can it be..... ME NERVOUS. Come on, it can't be. I get that excited and scared feeling that I haven't felt in years. I feel like I can't speak through the smile that's glued to my face.
Congrats to 2 of my closest friends
I've been getting emails left and right. My best friend Buddha XO and his wife Crazykitty are having the child. Not the Captain! Buddha XO is like a brother to me and Crazykitty has become like a sister. I wish them the best of luck and they know that I love them both dearly and I'll be Uncle Wes to this one as well.
The Happiest of Days
I would like to take the opportunity and say that I have been on cloud 9 all weekend. I got a good piece of news Saturday. I found out that my wife is pregnant. She is about 5 weeks along.
I felt like a kid getting his biggest wish when she told me this. Wish us luck and pray that it all goes smoothly
I felt like a kid getting his biggest wish when she told me this. Wish us luck and pray that it all goes smoothly
Microsoft ships Xbox 360 beta kits to developers
Updated versions of the development hardware for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console have begun shipping to studios at last, replacing the Apple PowerMac G5 based systems which were used to demonstrate games at E3 in May.
That's according to multiple sources working on high profile titles for the forthcoming console, which is expected to launch in the fourth calendar quarter - meaning that developers have as little as three to four months to complete games aiming for the launch.
Would you like to know more?
New Trojan can knock out Symbian phones
It can cause data loss unless quickly removed
Users of Symbian Series 60 smart phones are being warned of a new Trojan horse that, if not removed within one hour, can cause complete data loss in the wireless devices.
Several owners of Symbian-based handsets have caught the Trojan Doomboot.A after downloading unauthorized mobile phone games containing the malware, said Anton Von Troyer, marketing manager of Finnish antivirus vendor F-Secure Corp.
Would you like to know more?
Users of Symbian Series 60 smart phones are being warned of a new Trojan horse that, if not removed within one hour, can cause complete data loss in the wireless devices.
Several owners of Symbian-based handsets have caught the Trojan Doomboot.A after downloading unauthorized mobile phone games containing the malware, said Anton Von Troyer, marketing manager of Finnish antivirus vendor F-Secure Corp.
Would you like to know more?
Now for the rest of the story
Let me recap my weekend to everyone.
Friday- Went to the movies and watched Mr and Mrs Smith (rental only, not worth the $7.50)
Saturday- I went to Smith Lake Park for a few hours and hung out with some friends, came home, finished my homework and went back out to the lake. A few friends had a cabin rented for the holiday weekend, so even though it was hotter than four hells out I managed, for the most part, to stay comfortable. We cooked out, had some drinks, and went for a late night swim.
Sunday- After breakfast and coffee, I went back home for a little while. Six of us went to the Collective Soul concert. It was a really good show. I had managed to get all access passes for all six of us. My friends hung out back stage while I was literally propping my elbows on the front of the stage taking some pictures. There was a barracade fence about 20 feet from the stage and besides security, myself and another guy (who was an actual photographer) were the only ones allowed that close. As soon as I get a chance I will post some pics of the concert. Sometimes it's good to be me. After the concert, we returned to the cabin and sat up for a while and went for a 4:00 AM swim.
Monday- I slept until noon with every intention of going home and getting some things done. That didn't happen. I stayed at the park all day and night. The firework show was pretty good this year. After the fireworks it took over 2 hours for the traffic to clear out so I finally decided to go home.
Good news - My teacher pulled the assignments off that were due yesterday and it looks like my mid-term exam will be rescheduled for Thursday night. My sister is going out of town for a week and I am house sitting for her this weekend and all of next week. It's a good deal for me. Her house is a $750,000 house on the lake, with a pool, hot tub, game room, boat, and jet skis. My first order of business will to have a little party on Friday night that will probably continue through Saturday.
Bad news - One of my officers had some heart problems and had to be air lifted to a hospital. I had to deal with a suicide attempt. I was involved in a search and rescue for a 20 YO male who decided he was going to swim all the way accross the lake at night (800-1000 yards) to a party on the other side, after about an hour and a half. He shows up walking on the shoreline. Needless to say the cops and rescue squad was a little pissed at him. Finally, I had to put up with a few people that hopefully after this last weekend, I will never have to again.
Friday- Went to the movies and watched Mr and Mrs Smith (rental only, not worth the $7.50)
Saturday- I went to Smith Lake Park for a few hours and hung out with some friends, came home, finished my homework and went back out to the lake. A few friends had a cabin rented for the holiday weekend, so even though it was hotter than four hells out I managed, for the most part, to stay comfortable. We cooked out, had some drinks, and went for a late night swim.
Sunday- After breakfast and coffee, I went back home for a little while. Six of us went to the Collective Soul concert. It was a really good show. I had managed to get all access passes for all six of us. My friends hung out back stage while I was literally propping my elbows on the front of the stage taking some pictures. There was a barracade fence about 20 feet from the stage and besides security, myself and another guy (who was an actual photographer) were the only ones allowed that close. As soon as I get a chance I will post some pics of the concert. Sometimes it's good to be me. After the concert, we returned to the cabin and sat up for a while and went for a 4:00 AM swim.
Monday- I slept until noon with every intention of going home and getting some things done. That didn't happen. I stayed at the park all day and night. The firework show was pretty good this year. After the fireworks it took over 2 hours for the traffic to clear out so I finally decided to go home.
Good news - My teacher pulled the assignments off that were due yesterday and it looks like my mid-term exam will be rescheduled for Thursday night. My sister is going out of town for a week and I am house sitting for her this weekend and all of next week. It's a good deal for me. Her house is a $750,000 house on the lake, with a pool, hot tub, game room, boat, and jet skis. My first order of business will to have a little party on Friday night that will probably continue through Saturday.
Bad news - One of my officers had some heart problems and had to be air lifted to a hospital. I had to deal with a suicide attempt. I was involved in a search and rescue for a 20 YO male who decided he was going to swim all the way accross the lake at night (800-1000 yards) to a party on the other side, after about an hour and a half. He shows up walking on the shoreline. Needless to say the cops and rescue squad was a little pissed at him. Finally, I had to put up with a few people that hopefully after this last weekend, I will never have to again.
Working Wooden iPod
Behold, the power of a steady hand and Dremel. And it does work—it’s a 4th generation model with clickwheel and everything.
Check out the pictures.
Revolution may launch after PS3
Speaking at a shareholder's meeting in Japan earlier this week, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata admitted that the Nintendo Revolution console may arrive on the market after Sony's PS3 - but said that it will not "fall behind by too much."
In a marked departure from the company's promise at E3 three years ago that it would not be the last out the door in the next-generation, Iwata gave a guarded response to a question about whether Nintendo would fall behind its rivals in terms of launch timelines.
Would you like to know more?
In a marked departure from the company's promise at E3 three years ago that it would not be the last out the door in the next-generation, Iwata gave a guarded response to a question about whether Nintendo would fall behind its rivals in terms of launch timelines.
Would you like to know more?
Top 25 unanswered science questions
What is the universe made of? What is the biological basis of consciousness? How long can the human life span be extended? These are just some of the as-yet-unanswered scientific questions pondered in tomorrow's special 125th-anniversary issue of the academic journal Science. Editor-in-chief Donald Kennedy and news editor Colin Norman tasked their staff to list the most challenging questions in science today and then winnow the number to 25.
Read the complete story here. (National Geographic)
Read the complete story here. (National Geographic)
UK man convicted of modding Xbox
Modding an Xbox became a crime last year in the UK, and now a 22 year old Cambridge graduate has been convicted for doing so. The Electronic & Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA) tipped off trading standards and Gwent police after it emerged that the man was offering modded Xboxes with 200GB hard drives containing up to 80 games on his website for £380. He is the first man convicted of the offence.
Elspa said the sentence showed the seriousness of the offence. Deputy director general Michael Rawlinson told the BBC: "The modification of consoles is an activity that Elspa's anti-piracy team is prioritising. It is encouraging to see the UK courts do the same."
Elspa said the sentence showed the seriousness of the offence. Deputy director general Michael Rawlinson told the BBC: "The modification of consoles is an activity that Elspa's anti-piracy team is prioritising. It is encouraging to see the UK courts do the same."
Gizmo Project Internet Phone
Gizmo is a Free Phone for Your Computer that makes calling as easy as instant messaging.
Gizmo Project uses your internet connection (broadband or dial-up) to make calls to other computers. With the click of a mouse, you’re connected to friends, family, and colleagues anywhere on earth. It’s just that simple. You talk clearly. For as long as you want. For free.
And with inexpensive add-ons like CallIn and CallOut, you can talk to any telephone–mobile or landline–on the planet. Any phone? Yes.
Download Gizmo Project
Gizmo Project uses your internet connection (broadband or dial-up) to make calls to other computers. With the click of a mouse, you’re connected to friends, family, and colleagues anywhere on earth. It’s just that simple. You talk clearly. For as long as you want. For free.
And with inexpensive add-ons like CallIn and CallOut, you can talk to any telephone–mobile or landline–on the planet. Any phone? Yes.
Download Gizmo Project
Monday, July 04, 2005
What a weekend
I am just making it in after a very long and tiring weekend. On one hand I had a blast. The Concert was awesome (I will have pics up soon), I was able to relax a little, but on the other hand there was so much BS going on with my unit I couldn't get away.
I'll fill you in on the details after I get some sleep.
I'll fill you in on the details after I get some sleep.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Saturday of fun
Well I did manage to stick with the plan of - Saturday - Go to the lake, hang out with some friends at their cabin and get sunburned. I thought I'd hang out for a while come home and finish my homework. Well I got my homework done rather fast and decided to go back out to the lake.
I had a blast. I hung out had some drinks, went swimming, ate some good food and just relaxed. Slept great and now I am going to clean up and get ready to head back out. Collective Soul is tonight and I think I'll stay at the lake again tonight.
I had a blast. I hung out had some drinks, went swimming, ate some good food and just relaxed. Slept great and now I am going to clean up and get ready to head back out. Collective Soul is tonight and I think I'll stay at the lake again tonight.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Friday night with the kids
My niece is 14 and I am the "cool" uncle. Actually I am her only uncle, but she sees me as cool. That's a good thing though because she talks to me about things she might not tell her mom. I am very protective over her and from time to time I like to take her and her friends to the movies or the mall or something. I try to teach her a little about the world and warn her of the mistakes I've made. You all know how girls look these days. It makes me sick. She is a beautiful little girl and I swear she looks as if she was 18.
When we are out and some little punk thug boy starts googling at her, I am quick to tell him "she's 14 you freak" and the little boy scurries off with his premature nuts tucked between his legs. She gets mad at me for doing that but she understands where I am coming from. Between her dad and I, I feel sorry for the 1st real boyfriend that comes along. I am not above threatning the life of a boy.
So last night I went to watch Mr and Mrs Smith with my niece and one of her friends. I am very conflicted to review this movie as I am very partial to Angelina Jolie. For the first hour, if it was not for her I wouldn't have even bothered. It took forever to get even somewhat good. It did pick up however and the real action of the movie was pretty good. I could have thought of several better endings though. All-in-all, I was disappointed with it.
When we are out and some little punk thug boy starts googling at her, I am quick to tell him "she's 14 you freak" and the little boy scurries off with his premature nuts tucked between his legs. She gets mad at me for doing that but she understands where I am coming from. Between her dad and I, I feel sorry for the 1st real boyfriend that comes along. I am not above threatning the life of a boy.
So last night I went to watch Mr and Mrs Smith with my niece and one of her friends. I am very conflicted to review this movie as I am very partial to Angelina Jolie. For the first hour, if it was not for her I wouldn't have even bothered. It took forever to get even somewhat good. It did pick up however and the real action of the movie was pretty good. I could have thought of several better endings though. All-in-all, I was disappointed with it.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Holiday weekend plans
1. Friday night - Sit on my ass, take it easy and watch a couple of movies
2. Saturday - Go to the lake, hang out with some friends at their cabin and get sunburned
3. Sunday night - Collective Soul concert
4. Monday - Sit on my ass and do my homework
Update: I wish my teachers would get their shit together. Just out of curiosity I checked my assignments online and my OS teacher decided to have our mid-term exam on Tuesday:
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2005 1:34pm
Hello Everyone,
The midterm will be on Tuesday, July 5, 2005. It will be at 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., in
the health science building room 221 and at 5:30 p.m., in the computer science building
room 21. The exam will be all multiple choice questions. Use the lesson quizzes as a
study guide. You CANNOT use your book or notes during the exam. Reply to this email
and let me know what time you will attend.
--------------------
How nice, now I have to study for a fucking exam over a holiday weekend, and the best part is I work all day Tuesday and have another class at 5:00PM that night.
2. Saturday - Go to the lake, hang out with some friends at their cabin and get sunburned
3. Sunday night - Collective Soul concert
4. Monday - Sit on my ass and do my homework
Update: I wish my teachers would get their shit together. Just out of curiosity I checked my assignments online and my OS teacher decided to have our mid-term exam on Tuesday:
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2005 1:34pm
Hello Everyone,
The midterm will be on Tuesday, July 5, 2005. It will be at 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., in
the health science building room 221 and at 5:30 p.m., in the computer science building
room 21. The exam will be all multiple choice questions. Use the lesson quizzes as a
study guide. You CANNOT use your book or notes during the exam. Reply to this email
and let me know what time you will attend.
--------------------
How nice, now I have to study for a fucking exam over a holiday weekend, and the best part is I work all day Tuesday and have another class at 5:00PM that night.
Video gamers may have quicker eyes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Video game players may spend a lot of time on the couch, but when they're ready to go out they can find their keys quicker than the rest of us, a study suggests.
Researchers found that gamers who devote much of their free time to Grand Theft Auto and Super Mario may be able to scan their environment and spot the target of their search more quickly than non-gamers can. In experiments with college students who were either hard-care video game players or novices, the researchers found that players were quicker to detect target objects on a busy computer screen than their peers were.
The findings, published in the journal Acta Psychologica, suggest that the vigilant watchfulness video games require makes for quicker visual processing. Gamers' brains don't appear to have any specialized search strategy, they're just faster, explained lead study author Dr. Alan Castel, a post-doctorate fellow in psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. Specifically, both groups of students were similar when it came to the search principle of "inhibition of return." According to Castel, this means that when people look for their keys, they look in one place, and if the keys aren't there, they will look in a number of other spots before giving the original location a second go-around.
In the experiments, he told Reuters Health, video gamers used the same search strategy as non-gamers did. "They just executed it faster," he said. What this means for real life is uncertain. The advantage video game players held over their peers was on the order of 100 milliseconds, Castel noted. It's possible, though, that a gamer's speedier visual processing could make the difference between, for example, crashing a car and averting an accident, according to Castel. That doesn't mean, however, that people should take up video games to improve their driving records. That 100-millisecond advantage could take a lot of playing time, Castel said; gamers in his study played 6 days a week, on average, for about 2 hours each day.
Video games have been much criticized for their violent content and for contributing to couch-potato lifestyles. This study, Castel noted, doesn't judge video games as "good" or "bad." It just suggests they feed a very particular expertise. The main research interest, according to Castel, is in whether video games, through effects on visual processing, attention and movement, can be useful in rehabilitating the brain -- after a stroke, for instance, or in cases of age-related memory loss.
Researchers found that gamers who devote much of their free time to Grand Theft Auto and Super Mario may be able to scan their environment and spot the target of their search more quickly than non-gamers can. In experiments with college students who were either hard-care video game players or novices, the researchers found that players were quicker to detect target objects on a busy computer screen than their peers were.
The findings, published in the journal Acta Psychologica, suggest that the vigilant watchfulness video games require makes for quicker visual processing. Gamers' brains don't appear to have any specialized search strategy, they're just faster, explained lead study author Dr. Alan Castel, a post-doctorate fellow in psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. Specifically, both groups of students were similar when it came to the search principle of "inhibition of return." According to Castel, this means that when people look for their keys, they look in one place, and if the keys aren't there, they will look in a number of other spots before giving the original location a second go-around.
In the experiments, he told Reuters Health, video gamers used the same search strategy as non-gamers did. "They just executed it faster," he said. What this means for real life is uncertain. The advantage video game players held over their peers was on the order of 100 milliseconds, Castel noted. It's possible, though, that a gamer's speedier visual processing could make the difference between, for example, crashing a car and averting an accident, according to Castel. That doesn't mean, however, that people should take up video games to improve their driving records. That 100-millisecond advantage could take a lot of playing time, Castel said; gamers in his study played 6 days a week, on average, for about 2 hours each day.
Video games have been much criticized for their violent content and for contributing to couch-potato lifestyles. This study, Castel noted, doesn't judge video games as "good" or "bad." It just suggests they feed a very particular expertise. The main research interest, according to Castel, is in whether video games, through effects on visual processing, attention and movement, can be useful in rehabilitating the brain -- after a stroke, for instance, or in cases of age-related memory loss.
Motorola Special Edition Black RAZR V3
New look better price!
Mobile styling has been a strong point with Motorola, this fact is further strengthened by the launch of the new Motorola RAZR Black which boasts of a high style factor. Motorola RAZR Black comes after the launch of Motorola RAZR. This time the launch is in partnership with Cingular Wireless.
Motorola RAZR Black is developed with aircraft-grade aluminum, magnesium and nickel-plated copper alloy metals which make up the phone’s sleek look. Other features in Motorola RAZR Black are video playback and integrated Bluetooth wireless technology, along with VGA camera. Overall Motorola RAZR Black is a good match for the high end MEdia services offered by Cingular. Cingular has bundled a number of features onto a fixed plan which includes test, multi-media messaging as well as MEdia Net. The package is offered with a reasonable cost considering what the original RAZR V3 sold for.
So when can you lay your hands on this sleek and desirable mobile phone? Retailing starts today and you can get it right away in a 2 year contract. Some new personalization features being offered by Cingular is engraving on the back of the phone for a mere $19.99. Phone price? $199.99
Mobile styling has been a strong point with Motorola, this fact is further strengthened by the launch of the new Motorola RAZR Black which boasts of a high style factor. Motorola RAZR Black comes after the launch of Motorola RAZR. This time the launch is in partnership with Cingular Wireless.
Motorola RAZR Black is developed with aircraft-grade aluminum, magnesium and nickel-plated copper alloy metals which make up the phone’s sleek look. Other features in Motorola RAZR Black are video playback and integrated Bluetooth wireless technology, along with VGA camera. Overall Motorola RAZR Black is a good match for the high end MEdia services offered by Cingular. Cingular has bundled a number of features onto a fixed plan which includes test, multi-media messaging as well as MEdia Net. The package is offered with a reasonable cost considering what the original RAZR V3 sold for.
So when can you lay your hands on this sleek and desirable mobile phone? Retailing starts today and you can get it right away in a 2 year contract. Some new personalization features being offered by Cingular is engraving on the back of the phone for a mere $19.99. Phone price? $199.99
Logitech Z-5500 Digital
Logitech releases another dynamic set
The Logitech Z-5500 Digital, a THX-certified, 500-watt 5.1 surround sound speaker system that offers everything you could possibly want… and some things you didn't even know you needed. And once you plug in your PC, DVD or music player, or video game console, you'll never want to listen to anything else.
Powerful, distortion-free bass: The new, larger 10-inch long-throw subwoofer driver with flared bass port delivers 188 watts of thunderous bass.
Innovative driver technology: Polished aluminum phase-plug satellites combine two drivers into one--the clarity of a tweeter with the richness and fullness of a separate mid-range.
Digital equalization: The Z-5500 Digital actively adjusts frequency response in real time for the cleanest, most accurate sound reproduction.
DTS® 96/24 support: Enjoy studio-quality sound thanks to the Z-5500's support for 96 kHz / 24-bit digital audio streams
Amazingly powerful controls: The Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center lets you control volume to all speakers, set inputs, and much more. And the separate wireless remote is great for home theaters and video game consoles.
Innovative satellite design: Cloth grilles are removable for a pro-audio look. Pedestals rotate for easy wall mounting or desk placement. Center channel can be mounted on wall, above or below monitor.
Connect to multiple sources: Simultaneously connect 6 audio sources including PCs, video game consoles, and DVD, CD & portable music players… and control it all from the Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center.
The Logitech Z-5500 Digital, a THX-certified, 500-watt 5.1 surround sound speaker system that offers everything you could possibly want… and some things you didn't even know you needed. And once you plug in your PC, DVD or music player, or video game console, you'll never want to listen to anything else.Powerful, distortion-free bass: The new, larger 10-inch long-throw subwoofer driver with flared bass port delivers 188 watts of thunderous bass.
Innovative driver technology: Polished aluminum phase-plug satellites combine two drivers into one--the clarity of a tweeter with the richness and fullness of a separate mid-range.
Digital equalization: The Z-5500 Digital actively adjusts frequency response in real time for the cleanest, most accurate sound reproduction.
DTS® 96/24 support: Enjoy studio-quality sound thanks to the Z-5500's support for 96 kHz / 24-bit digital audio streams
Amazingly powerful controls: The Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center lets you control volume to all speakers, set inputs, and much more. And the separate wireless remote is great for home theaters and video game consoles.
Innovative satellite design: Cloth grilles are removable for a pro-audio look. Pedestals rotate for easy wall mounting or desk placement. Center channel can be mounted on wall, above or below monitor.
Connect to multiple sources: Simultaneously connect 6 audio sources including PCs, video game consoles, and DVD, CD & portable music players… and control it all from the Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center.
PS3 hard drive to be sold separately
The hard drive for the PlayStation 3 will not be bundled with the machine, but will instead be sold as an add-on unit, according to press reports in Japan which seem to confirm earlier hints dropped by SCE boss Ken Kutaragi.
Would you like to know more?
Would you like to know more?
MSN IM to work with Vodafone Handsets
Microsoft has announced an initiative to offer MSN Messenger IM to Vodafone's mobile phone customers. People sitting at their MSN Instant Messaging (IM) client on their computers will be able to talk to people carrying Vodafone mobiles. A very fulsome integration is taking place, with the ability for users to show the "presence" of their contacts and exchange instant messages between MSN Messenger on a PC and Vodafone Messenger on mobile phones, and of course the other way around.
"By enabling our customers to see each other's presence on both PC and mobile devices, we are expanding our customers' ability to make smart communication choice," Microsoft's Corporate Vice President Blake Irving said in a prepared statement.
Vodafone Messenger, a form of IM on mobiles, currently runs on Vodafone Live! This WAP-based service is embedded into the latest Vodafone handsets. If this is not available, then SMS can be used as an alternative. Trials for the new service will start in July.
"By enabling our customers to see each other's presence on both PC and mobile devices, we are expanding our customers' ability to make smart communication choice," Microsoft's Corporate Vice President Blake Irving said in a prepared statement.
Vodafone Messenger, a form of IM on mobiles, currently runs on Vodafone Live! This WAP-based service is embedded into the latest Vodafone handsets. If this is not available, then SMS can be used as an alternative. Trials for the new service will start in July.
Microsoft may license Xbox 360 software
The operating system which drives the Xbox 360 may be licensed out for use by third parties, according to company chairman Bill Gates, suggesting that it may become part of the firm's range of software for embedded systems.
Speaking in Japan, Gates said that the firm was considering offering the software - which offers extensive media and network functionality, and may allow users to download movies and music over the internet - to other companies.
Gameindustry.biz
Speaking in Japan, Gates said that the firm was considering offering the software - which offers extensive media and network functionality, and may allow users to download movies and music over the internet - to other companies.
Gameindustry.biz
Linux is Free if Your Time is Worthless
This is a funny site,
"Funny (and tearfully sad) stories of how I got sodomized by the penguin."
If your a Linux fan or not, it is a good read.
"Funny (and tearfully sad) stories of how I got sodomized by the penguin."
If your a Linux fan or not, it is a good read.
Viagraholics Anonymous
You have to be kidding me.
"Viagraholics Anonymous is a group of men dedicated to helping each other overcome a common problem: abuse of Viagra. As we came to understand that our behavior was out of control, and saw the destructive toll that Viagra was taking on our lives and relationships, we searched for a solution. Out of our despair came this simple program and organization designed to help other men such as ourselves conquer this life-destroying dependency."
Think you are a Viagraholic? Take the quiz.
"Viagraholics Anonymous is a group of men dedicated to helping each other overcome a common problem: abuse of Viagra. As we came to understand that our behavior was out of control, and saw the destructive toll that Viagra was taking on our lives and relationships, we searched for a solution. Out of our despair came this simple program and organization designed to help other men such as ourselves conquer this life-destroying dependency."
Think you are a Viagraholic? Take the quiz.
Gangsta Gadgets
Now this is some funny gadgets. Everything from R Kelly's Golden Showerhead to iPod spinners
Check it out
Check it out
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)