I've been console gaming since my brother's original Pong game. Yep. Sounds cliche'd, but there it is. Got my Atari 2600 around 1981, an Apple ][+ the following year (getting me into the world of PC gaming), and I'll skip all the stages since then, but culminating with my current assortment of PS2, PS3 (personal favorite), GameCube, Wii, NintendoDS, and my dual-core PC.
Currently playing...
PC: HALO: Combat Evolved (original but patched), Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, Second Life (if one can even call it a game)
PS3: Warhawk (Just started last night), Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Next Project...
Now that I've got all my router ports configured for the latest games, and an MTU adjustment to prevent my router from dropping packets, I'm going to turn my attention to getting HALO2 to run in XP (designed only for Vista). I hear it can be done.
The Gamecube and Wii belong to the kids, and aside from an extremely rare occurrence when we play together, I play nothing on them. Cool boxes though.
I've got an old-school DS, pre-LITE, and I don't use it. I'm thinking of selling it...but it's tough, cuz I won't get much for it, and the trade-in value, for a DS Lite, is not really worth it...unless I can convince myself I'd use the Lite.
That's about it from the gaming scene. So, a shout-out to all you fellow gamers, and I'll see you in-world.
Related Links
Halo:
http://www.microsoft.com/games/PC/halo.aspx - Description of the game and related links.
http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/downloads.aspx - You can download a functional demo of the game.
07 September, 2008
06 September, 2008
Mini-Review of Genesis: When in Rome
I checked this out on MHD..or whatever it's called this month...oh yeah, Palladia Network. MHD is now Palladia. Okay. Whatever.
Anyway...
Genesis: When in Rome
The concert was well shot, but the song list was kind of strange. I didn't recognize two of the songs, so they were either brand new or super old. Either way they were extended album cuts. Decent, but in this modern age of ADD I lost interest in the stuff I didn't know, as the music itself was not unique enough, from the stuff I do know, to get me to pay attention. Perhaps there was more stuff, on the real DVD, that the network opted not to show...checking...yeah. The set list, from the DVD, is as follows. Much to my chagrin, "Home by the Sea" was not on the broadcast version, which is stupid, since it's a great tune.
Regardless, the musicianship was, of course, top-notch. Mike Rutherford and Milwaukee's Daryl Stuermer traded guitar and bass roles constantly. Chester Thompson handled the drumming when Collins was off singing...or when he was playing the drums (typical dual mode, fun to watch).
I recommend a one-time viewing if for no other reason than the film-makers get it right and actually show them handling their instruments, versus just showing their faces.
Anyway...
Genesis: When in Rome
The concert was well shot, but the song list was kind of strange. I didn't recognize two of the songs, so they were either brand new or super old. Either way they were extended album cuts. Decent, but in this modern age of ADD I lost interest in the stuff I didn't know, as the music itself was not unique enough, from the stuff I do know, to get me to pay attention. Perhaps there was more stuff, on the real DVD, that the network opted not to show...checking...yeah. The set list, from the DVD, is as follows. Much to my chagrin, "Home by the Sea" was not on the broadcast version, which is stupid, since it's a great tune.
Concert:
- "Duke's Intro" (Behind The Lines, Duke's End)
- "Turn It On Again"
- "No Son Of Mine"
- "Land Of Confusion"
- "In The Cage Medley" (In The Cage, The Cinema Show, Duke's Travels)
- "Afterglow"
- "Hold On My Heart"
- "Home By The Sea"
- "Follow You, Follow Me"
- "Firth Of Fifth"
- "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)"
Regardless, the musicianship was, of course, top-notch. Mike Rutherford and Milwaukee's Daryl Stuermer traded guitar and bass roles constantly. Chester Thompson handled the drumming when Collins was off singing...or when he was playing the drums (typical dual mode, fun to watch).
I recommend a one-time viewing if for no other reason than the film-makers get it right and actually show them handling their instruments, versus just showing their faces.
Gaming a bit again - Original 'HALO'
Work is a challenge, in that there's so much to do right now. All kinds of stuff going on! Great stuff and great colleagues, so I don't mind it at all, but it can be mentally draining.
To alleviate the stress, I dug out my copy of the original HALO game, loaded it up, played it for an hour -- after only having played it twice before, about 8 months ago -- threw up a server, and had my pall Kirby connect. We played for about an hour and a half, and it was a blast. We set it for "five kills makes a winner", and Kirby hosed me the first few times out (HALO vet). I soon got my legs, and we ended up swapping matches throughout the rest of the night. He and I did a lot of Ghost Recon, back in the day, and I'd consider us equals, with either of us able to trounce the other when we're "on".
Since then I've configured my router to pass Windows Messenger audio to my gaming rig so that we can taunt each other. I tend to "play blue", so I apologize in advance for any naughty words he hears in-game.
I highly recommend it as a way of letting off some steam. One can usually find it at the used game stores for $9.99, or shell out $19.99 for a new copy.
To alleviate the stress, I dug out my copy of the original HALO game, loaded it up, played it for an hour -- after only having played it twice before, about 8 months ago -- threw up a server, and had my pall Kirby connect. We played for about an hour and a half, and it was a blast. We set it for "five kills makes a winner", and Kirby hosed me the first few times out (HALO vet). I soon got my legs, and we ended up swapping matches throughout the rest of the night. He and I did a lot of Ghost Recon, back in the day, and I'd consider us equals, with either of us able to trounce the other when we're "on".
Since then I've configured my router to pass Windows Messenger audio to my gaming rig so that we can taunt each other. I tend to "play blue", so I apologize in advance for any naughty words he hears in-game.
I highly recommend it as a way of letting off some steam. One can usually find it at the used game stores for $9.99, or shell out $19.99 for a new copy.
19 August, 2008
I've finally abandoned Outlook (in favor of Thunderbird)
Yes, yes, I know. I'm "Outlook Guy". "Mr. Outlook ." "The Outlook Meister". No more. It served me well these past 12 years...but it's time to move on. Passed time. It's simply too cumbersome and high powered for what I need to do.
In the old days, Outlook was the best game in town for handling multiple email accounts and having a calendar, built-in notepad, and journal. Since the 90's I've always worked for companies that use Microsoft Exchange email servers, and it made sense for me to be able to configure Outlook (full-blown, not Outlook Express) to connect to them.
Now, with other remote mail options at my disposal, and my own utilization of GMail, as my primary email address (versus my Road Runner email), I am no longer tied to a single PC to access my information. Thus, I really don't need a local email client at all. That is, composing email on my PC is still easier, allowing me to copy and paste images, etc., but I don't have to do it locally. My Google calendar not only gives me access to my events, online, but it also lets me share my events with friends and family (as they let me see their events).
So, my Thunderbird client pops up, gets the job done, and utilizes far fewer system resources while doing it. Bells and whistles? A couple. Ease of use? Just fine.
So long, Outlook . It's been a good ride.
In the old days, Outlook was the best game in town for handling multiple email accounts and having a calendar, built-in notepad, and journal. Since the 90's I've always worked for companies that use Microsoft Exchange email servers, and it made sense for me to be able to configure Outlook (full-blown, not Outlook Express) to connect to them.
Now, with other remote mail options at my disposal, and my own utilization of GMail, as my primary email address (versus my Road Runner email), I am no longer tied to a single PC to access my information. Thus, I really don't need a local email client at all. That is, composing email on my PC is still easier, allowing me to copy and paste images, etc., but I don't have to do it locally. My Google calendar not only gives me access to my events, online, but it also lets me share my events with friends and family (as they let me see their events).
So, my Thunderbird client pops up, gets the job done, and utilizes far fewer system resources while doing it. Bells and whistles? A couple. Ease of use? Just fine.
So long, Outlook . It's been a good ride.
16 August, 2008
Update to 'GPS Systems - Quick Tips..' - The Bluetooth Phone via GPS Concept
Back in April '08 I wrote that I thought the ability for a GPS to pair with a Bluetooth phone was not one of the most useful GPS features available. In the interests of full disclosure, I deemed the feature "dumb". In August, '08, I bought my wife a Garmin c550, which has this ability. For someone who doesn't like the Bluetooth headset concept, a Bluetooth speakerphone is the better option than holding one's phone up to one's ear. The c550 displays the caller-ID, on the GPS' screen, making it simple to easily see who is calling, without having to scramble for the phone. It also makes the phone's (an LG Dare, in this case) contact list, recent calls, and other information available via the GPS unit's screen.
As of this writing I have paired it with her phone, and tested it indoors, but we have not yet road-tested the feature.
I still stand by the idea that playing music, through a portable GPS' speakers, is useless to me, but I stand corrected about Bluetooth phone use. Time will tell whether the caller/callee, on the other end of the connection, will actually be able to hear us, but I may be willing to sacrifice that, for quick calls, in the interest of driving safety.
For a full listing of the Garmin c550's feature set, see the TigerDirect link where I bought her unit, at http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=G145-0068 .
As of this writing I have paired it with her phone, and tested it indoors, but we have not yet road-tested the feature.
I still stand by the idea that playing music, through a portable GPS' speakers, is useless to me, but I stand corrected about Bluetooth phone use. Time will tell whether the caller/callee, on the other end of the connection, will actually be able to hear us, but I may be willing to sacrifice that, for quick calls, in the interest of driving safety.
For a full listing of the Garmin c550's feature set, see the TigerDirect link where I bought her unit, at http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=G145-0068 .
New Phone - LG Dare
After a year or more of "riding" my Verizon account, after our two-year contract expired, I started poking around, looking at phone upgrade options, to utilize the "free phone (or discount) with two-year renewal" offer. After a month of him-hawing (tech term), I chose the LG Dare, equipping it with the 500 min-month outgoing (free incoming) text package and the unlimited Internet usage. I really dig this phone. I could yap about it, as is my way, but instead I'll just point you to the two links that ultimately swayed me.
Dare Demo from Verizon: http://estore.vzwshop.com/dare/
Dare Review at CNET: http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/lg-dare-verizon-wireless/4505-6454_7-33070218.html?tag=prod.txt.1
Dare Demo from Verizon: http://estore.vzwshop.com/dare/
Dare Review at CNET: http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/lg-dare-verizon-wireless/4505-6454_7-33070218.html?tag=prod.txt.1
15 July, 2008
Frustration (but ultimately successful) Registering my Starbucks Card for AT&T WiFi Access
Being a Starbucks freak, I decided to register a Starbucks card, online, to utilize the Rewards Program's benefit of a) free 2 hours/day WiFi access, and b) unlimited coffee refills. I registered a card, at home, and weeks later actually decided to use it. This is my story...
It was a frightenly sunny and hot day. I closed my moon roof and windows, cranking the A/C, making sure to open them all, when I'd pull into parking lots, so I would appear green-friendly, to any passing eco villians. It was my weekly "night out", and I was ready to read a novel and do a little "netting", at my favorite Starbucks.
I bought a cup of joe, with my Starbucks card, and booted the old, decrepit, some-memory-is-dead laptop, and connected to the AT&T site. It asked me for my Starbucks.com login information. 'Hmm..,' thought I. 'I don't think I have one.' I checked my RoboForm (secure identity software) logs. Nope. I don't have one.' I went to the Starbucks web site, and the link to check card balances was clearly visible...but there was no sign of a signon prompt. [Note that AT&T, at a Starbucks, will let one get to the Starbucks site, the AT&T site, and the T-Mobile site, but that's it.] I checked my card's balance and all was well with the card.
I created a Starbucks.com login, then tried to register the card, to the account. It said that the card was already registered. Ughh! I poked around, on both the AT&T and Starbucks sites, and there was no help as to how to handle this situation. So, I read through all the FAQ's, at Starbucks, and found there was a way to transfer the balance, of one's card, to another card; one has to do it live, at Starbucks. 'Uh huh, Baby! Woo!'. I took the card to the register, got a new card, and had the barista transfer the balance. I then logged into the Starbucks site (having found the page to do that via a link from the AT&T site, because I could not find it at Starbucks site itself), and then used the 'Add a card' option, at Starbucks, to add my new card. I then went to the AT&T WiFi login page, entered my Starbucks.com login information (although there was no visual indication there that this process would work), and presto, I was on the Internet.
And by "Presto" I mean afer over an hour of screwing around.
Long live rock. Oh yeah, and rock has nothing to do with this experience.
I have now become the "crazy, bothersome regular" who accosts folks, who have the same problem (known by their cussing), and help them with the issue. Yet another way for me to control events, so I kinda dig it.
It was a frightenly sunny and hot day. I closed my moon roof and windows, cranking the A/C, making sure to open them all, when I'd pull into parking lots, so I would appear green-friendly, to any passing eco villians. It was my weekly "night out", and I was ready to read a novel and do a little "netting", at my favorite Starbucks.
I bought a cup of joe, with my Starbucks card, and booted the old, decrepit, some-memory-is-dead laptop, and connected to the AT&T site. It asked me for my Starbucks.com login information. 'Hmm..,' thought I. 'I don't think I have one.' I checked my RoboForm (secure identity software) logs. Nope. I don't have one.' I went to the Starbucks web site, and the link to check card balances was clearly visible...but there was no sign of a signon prompt. [Note that AT&T, at a Starbucks, will let one get to the Starbucks site, the AT&T site, and the T-Mobile site, but that's it.] I checked my card's balance and all was well with the card.
I created a Starbucks.com login, then tried to register the card, to the account. It said that the card was already registered. Ughh! I poked around, on both the AT&T and Starbucks sites, and there was no help as to how to handle this situation. So, I read through all the FAQ's, at Starbucks, and found there was a way to transfer the balance, of one's card, to another card; one has to do it live, at Starbucks. 'Uh huh, Baby! Woo!'. I took the card to the register, got a new card, and had the barista transfer the balance. I then logged into the Starbucks site (having found the page to do that via a link from the AT&T site, because I could not find it at Starbucks site itself), and then used the 'Add a card' option, at Starbucks, to add my new card. I then went to the AT&T WiFi login page, entered my Starbucks.com login information (although there was no visual indication there that this process would work), and presto, I was on the Internet.
And by "Presto" I mean afer over an hour of screwing around.
Long live rock. Oh yeah, and rock has nothing to do with this experience.
I have now become the "crazy, bothersome regular" who accosts folks, who have the same problem (known by their cussing), and help them with the issue. Yet another way for me to control events, so I kinda dig it.
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