Description:
As disturbing as they are.
Contents:
I need a life
It's been a while, so I guess I should write something in here.
The news hasn't been giving me much material lately that looks good to write about so here's what I've been doing for two weeks.
I've been playing EVE-Online quite a bit. It's a Massivly Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) and my first try at one too. Basically this one is set in another part of the universe, you play a pilot and get to do whatever you want. It's pretty cool. It has some drawbacks, but I did decide that since the game is free, it's worth paying $19.95 USD to pay for the server costs. When I say the game is free, I mean I've played it for 14 days without paying a dime. The client is a free download. Other MMORPGs like EverQuest and World Of Warcraft, you have to BUY the game, and then pay to play it? Either sell me the game so I can play it, or make me pay to play it. Not both.
Anyway those who know me if you want to learn more about the game, let me know. But there is a 14 day trial if you want to check it out. I recommend doing some reading and seeing if it's something you'd like, and you know the back story.  
Is apple the new dell?
Over at The Register there's an article about Apple recalling over 1.8 million batteries made by sony between October 2003 and August 2006. That's essetially every sony battery that apple released in 3 years.
Those few of you that read this blog occasionally will recall my post about the Exploding Dells. It seems that all those batteries are made by Sony as well.
Lets review Sony's track record. First they install insecure rootkits on our computers so that the system is vulnerable to attacks, apparently to stop us from copying the CD's we buy to our computers to use with MP3 players. And dispite the cost and hassle of fixing these rootkits on users computers (I charged 89.99 minimum for fixing them at work) all that the settlement gives the victim is a free CD without the DRM rootkits.
Next they produce exploding laptops, for those that don't want to wait until the July 1st (or July 4th for Americans) for fireworks display.
Also, overpriced PS3 launch will probably hurt them. Remember, the PS3 isn't even being manufactured yet. And don't forget about Sony's Blu-Ray technology. Which is causing the players to be outragously priced compared to HD-DVD players that are out there. If the BD-DVD players are so expensive, how can they expect to release a PS3 for less and still sell their BD-DVD players? Does this make sense to you? It doesn't make sense to me. Also, don't forget what I mentioned about Sony's first BD-DVD Burner for computers. It won't even play them! How can BD-DVD be the standard when the company that designed it can't even make all of the BD-DVD technology compatable with each other?
Well, with any luck, one day Sony will become the next Insignia, I mean, it must be good, they only have to give it a 90 day warranty. Oh wait! It's 90 days because that's all they can afford. 
Apples Innovative Interface, not really Apples.
So it seems that Apple's "innovative, and intuitive" interface for the iPod isn't really their interface. It seems Creative has had a patent on the technology for 5 years.
Now apple is going to pay creative $100 Million in licensing fees.
I have to say that with the decline in Creatives MP3 Player sales that this is good news for them. However in my opinion Creatives software and drivers have gone drastically downhill since the first SoundBlaster Live! came out years ago.
I've not owned a creative product since my SB Live! because On-Board Audio does what I need for now. But maybe it's time to upgrade.
I just hope that creative can use this money to put some life back in the Zen Line of MP3 players. 
Stargate SG-1 cancellation
There are a total of 3 TV shows I make sure I watch. Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Mythbusters.
Now Sci-Fi announced that the gate in Chyenne Mountain will be closing. So I've started a petition to save SG-1 and have sent it to Sci-Fi in hopes that they will save SG-1.
Please sign the petition, and hopefully we'll have time for a good run with the Ori.
There's not much more I can say but to contact Sci-Fi and let them know that you want Stargate SG-1 to continue.
My next communication to them about this will include links to several sites where people are voicing their opinions about this.
Thank you, I'll end my rant now.
Strange thoughts of the insomniac
How can you feel like you've already done it all, and done nothing all at the same time? I feel like I'm spinning my wheels in the mud. Trying so hard to move forward, but can't get a grip what's there now.
You know, at one time it was all planned. I knew what I was going to do. Then I got stuck in a dead end job because no one will hire a college grad until you have work experience, but since they won't hire you, that experience never comes. And I'll be the first to admit I'm not ready to start my own software development company. But it was a job I enjoyed, and pays way more then Retail.
Now here I am. 3 years out of college, lost and lonely.
How can you go forward when you're not sure what your looking at that's right beside you? How can you plan for the future when you don't understand the past. Worst yet, how can you find her when you don't know who she is? She could be right in front of you and you don't know it, realize it, or maybe, just won't admit it.
Well, the incoherent ramblings of insomniacs can be entertaining, but it's time for this one to go contemplate the meaning of life, the universe, and everything... somehow it totals 42.
Sidenote :: Best Buy has webcams on sale. Should I get one, at staff the cheaper of those two is pretty good. Just not the better of the "still camera" settings. 
VHS vs BETAMax all over again
Anyone remember BETAMax? It was the first (and arguably better) video casset tape for home use. The quality was better the VHS, the tapes were smaller, and held less video? Well, this time it's a little different.
BATAMax was developed by Sony. It's superior quality video lost to the longer length of the VHS tapes. The smaller tape size was also an advantage in early camcorders since they didn't way as much. But the VHS one would sit on your shoulder which helped it stay steady.
Well, fast forward 31 years after the debut of the BETAMax cassette and Sony is offering the new Blu-Ray DVD with capacities of up to 50GB, while Toshiba has launched the HD/DVD with capacities up to 45GB thanks to it's unique Triple-Layer design.
This is where Sony messed up. The first Blu-Ray drive for the computer, doesn't play store bought BD-DVD movies. That's right, pay $1400 (Australian) and you can't even play a movie you bought at the store. Why not? The excuse is due to the copy protection. They claim video cards and monitors are not capable of it. Both nVidia and ATI video cards are HDCP compliant. While current monitors are not, the Televisions are, and most High Def TV's can be hooked up to the computer through DVI.
Meanwhile, Toshiba has a High Def notebook that supports HD/DVD, both for recording and playing on a Windows Media Center system. It will output to a TV that is HDCP compliant. By the way, did I mention it will play HD/DVD movies. Which the BD-DVD cannot do. All this in the entire computer cost about twice what just the drive does for Blu-Ray.
If Sony doesn't lower prices, I think BD-DVD is going to join BETAMax in the far recesses of our memories.
| The Score So Far
|
| Blu-Ray Supporters
| HD/DVD Supporters
|
| Sony
| Toshiba
|
| HP (one model)
| HP (Several Models)
|
| Most DVD Player manufacturers have at least one model
| Most DVD Player manufacturers have at least one model
|
| Sony's PS3 will use BD
| Microsoft XBox 360 |
Also, rumors indicate that the Nintendo Wii will support HD/DVD but not Blu-Ray. But I'll end with just one question. Wasn't laserdisc supposed to replace VHS? 
So, tomorrow the PC turns 25
Wow, I wasn't even a year old when the first IBM PC was released. With it's monochrome green and black screen. Those were the days, my older sister had a 286, that a vaugely remember playing Donkey Kong and Test Drive. Wow, that takes me back, the picture was for the Atari version, the PC version for the 286 was black and white.
My how far we've come, from 6MHz processors to having two "cores" each running at 2.93GHz (2930MHz) on a processor. And AMD has the dual core FX62 running at 2800MHz and has a faster Bus speed for the other hardware.
In 25 years we went from very basic systems used for word processing and spreadsheet accounting to todays 3D rendering, space exploration, and don't forget the wonderful internet that keeps us all connected.
And just think, it all begane 60 years ago with the eniac.
Society is a state of Damnation
Ok, time for a rant. 
WHAT A SAD STATE our society is in. When women teach their kids to steal, hell, even grandma was involved in that one. In britan crime rates are at their highest in 10 years, but the conviction rate is down to the lowest it's been in 12 years. Are todays law enforcement agencies with all of their forensic technology, DNA testing, fingerprint analysis, and computer simulations still unable to find the criminals and prove they did it?
And now the US Military is making it easier for non US citizens to join their ranks. In my opinion, the only reason for this is so we can send them back home and show soldiers their where things are in Afganistan. It's just making it easier for terrorists to gain access to the military. Biggest mistake ever, now they can have someone on the inside telling terrorist cells where the military will be and when so that the bombs can be planted.
Meenwhile, here in Canada, a quick look at google news for Canada shows less depressing news. As of right now there's a story about a pedophile going to court for trial. Otherwise, there's 2 stories about the weather, a response to the raised terrorist threat in Britan and the US. Then there's the story about herbicides at CFB Gaugetown.
Sometimes it can make you really proud to be Canadian! Even if the winters are long and cold. But that's what warm beds and loved ones are for.  
UT Maps
Yeah, I recently decided to finish up a couple UT maps that have been half done in my game folder for quite a while. You can see my mapper profile here courtesy of Nali City.
When I finally break down and make my own site, instead of this very limited blog (that still doesn't work well with firefox) 
But there will be a time for that in the future, for now, I'm too busy, tired, and lazy. 
AMDATI, or ATIAMD, neither one is easy to say.
So it's official, AMD bought Graphics and chipset company ATI. This is of course pending regulatory approval and judge's say-so.
So what does this mean? nVidia has made the best chipsets for AMD processors in the past. So it should be intersting to see how the new ATI Chipsets perform compared to nVidia. The other interesting thing is ATI chipsets perform great on Intel (AMD's Rival) so now AMD is even getting a bit of income from the Intel sales.
The inquirer has some interesting thoughts on all of this too.
Keep your lap warm with a Dell laptop
I'm not going to continue re-writing what I've seen elsewhere, the joy of the internet is, you can link to it. By my last count We've got at least 5 Flaming Dells. All caught fire in less then a year.
Also over at ConsumerReports.com there's the Dell notebook that destroyed a 1966 Ford Truck, and over $5000 worth of fishing and hunting gear. Including the bullets. The poor owners were getting shot at by the flames from the laptop. That gives computer violence a whole new meening.
I guess these laptops are best for CD and DVD burning (sorry, I couldn't resist) But if you see any other information about flaming laptops let me know, I'll post them here. 
Who Can we Trust?
Wow!
Now the media is getting as bad as movie producers for using Computer Graphics in thier news stories. As you read this, remember, the news is SUPPOSED to be based in fact.
Lets start off with this poor woman from Lebanon, who recently lost her house, AND her apartment according to Reuters and the associated press. Don't believe me, check out when her apartment got bombed overnight, and when her house was destroyed by comandos. This is of course plausible. If she got a claim from the insurance company and bought a house in 2 weeks.
It really makes you wonder what other "facts" are construed before they get to the public. I am by no way trying to take away from the events in Lebanon and make light of it. But c'mon at least have some fact in the stories getting printed. I'm sure that people are loosing homes over there, and I won't argue the tragedy of innocent people suffering because of war. But the media should NOT take us for idiots.
I would like to thank Drinking From Home for pointing this out. And it makes me wonder, are bloggers the journalists of the future? Many people have said that Blogs will never replace "Proffesional" journalism. But when the proffesionals have their glaring mistakes pointed out by "amatures" that's just a sad state of affairs.
Rueters has pulled photos supplied by one freelance photographer due to the editing of his pictures, and thus pulled the stories related to them. But there have been several examples of this lately. </RANT>
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