It’s amazing how many convenience products and services there are out there. Too lazy to shop, got no time, out of ideas: get a personal shopper. To lazy to cook, tired of cooking, or have no time to cook? Microwaveable TV dinners is your answer. Too tired to get your mail from your mailbox in front? Back the car out, get your mail, and park back in the garage. Easy. Work smarter not harder. So what do you do when you have a full time job, a significant other, kid(s), TV time, and at the same time have to play MMORPG (Massively Multi-Player Online Role Playing Game) so that you can be cool, hang out virtually with your friends, and beat up on wussie level 1 players? Enter BuyMMOAccounts.com where you can purchase your wow account and be playing in 24 hours. Continue reading The Lazy Person’s Way To Gaming
Month: July 2008
National Geographic 2477 Bag Review
So after finding the perfect shoulder camera/laptop bag, the National Geographic NG-2475, and then having to return it because it couldn’t fit my 15.4″ MacBook Pro, fortunately Bogen (yes, the same company that makes tripods) makes a slightly larger version: the National Geographic NG-2477. The new bag is a few inches wider and is identical in design and layout to the NG-2475 except for the buckles and the addition of luggage straps to easily attach to a rolling luggage handle. Continue reading National Geographic 2477 Bag Review
VModa Vibe Duo Nero Earbuds Review
I had long known that the included Apple i-Buds(?)…earbuds…earphones simply, just do not cut it. They’re big and clunky when you put them in your ear and half the time don’t even stay in. But when I got my iPhone, the included earphones had one great feature: the press button answer/hang-up/pause/skip-to-next-track button & microphone. So I dealt with it for that one main feature until I saw the VModa Vibe Duo Nero. Continue reading VModa Vibe Duo Nero Earbuds Review
MobileMe and iPhone Software 2.0
So the new iPhone 3G is released as of today and I’m sure there are lines at all the Apple stores. But that’s not what I’m excited about. I’m excited about the other two releases: MobileMe and the iPhone Software version 2.0.
iPhone Software 2.0
So the new 2.0 software is 218.6 MB large and can be downloaded from iTunes. I downloaded it and let it do it’s thing. It took a very long time from when the software was unpackaged, loaded to the phone, and installation. Everything was fine until it came time to activate the iPhone. I’m sure the iTunes server is getting hammered because many times I couldn’t get a connection to the server to activate my iPhone. If anyone else runs into the same problem, just be patient and keep trying.
MobileMe
I can certainly say that MobileMe is much more visual stimulating (pretty) than dot Mac. But does pretty equal usable? Not sure yet as I’m having problems getting emails or anything else after logging in. But I can say, from what I see so far, it does look like usability will be a bit faster. It certainly looks iPhone-y.
WordPress For iPhone Native Application
When it was announced that SixApart was going to have a native application on the iPhone, I was hoping that Automattic would release something similar. Well there was no news, until yesterday. Automattic has released their native application that will allow WordPress.com and self hosted WordPress blogs to post via their iPhones. It looks amazing!
For ever, the more savvy self hosted blog users could use the XML-RPC to do postings by email, which for the most part was fine, but had potential security issues such as if someone knew the email address to send emails to, they could post anything they wanted as there was no authentication other than just knowing the email address. Also when using WordPress MU and doing the Domain Mapping process, the XML-RPC is rendered useless. By having a native application such as this, posting and managing your blog is much more robust! One of the big issues I’ve had posting from iPhone’s Safari was the lack of the TinyMCE buttons and the fact that when in Visual post mode, you couldn’t type in the text area. On top of that, with the occasional crashes, it became quite frustrating. Thank god for the draft auto-save.
One of the coolest features I can see from the native application so far is the ability to use pictures either on the iPhone or taken by the iPhone in your posts. This will make for an interesting use for those who have photoblogs and further reinforces the power of live blogging in this day and age. Amazing. I’ll post my review once I get it loaded on my iPhone. Watch the video.
COBA Meeting: AutoMate and Camera Insurance
Yesterday was my second Camera Owners of the Bay Area (COBA) monthly meeting. For those who don’t know, COBA is a monthly camera club in the Bay Area typically held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Cordura Hall 100 at Stanford University. COBA was founded by Adam Tow, who also presides over the meetings. COBA is intended for photographers (hobbyist, professionals, amateurs, and everyone in between) to have a forum to meet and discuss all things related to photography.
For yesterday’s meeting, our agenda was about a product called AutoMate and Camera Insurance. Continue reading COBA Meeting: AutoMate and Camera Insurance
Canon Launches 1000D, The New Rebel XS
The rumors had been circulating for awhile of Canon’s newest release, the Canon Rebel XS (or 1000D, as it is known everywhere but in the United States). Nikon had been scooping up the pre-entry-level SLR market for awhile with their hugely popular D40 and D40x and now the D60 whereas Canon’s entry-level consumer camera, the Rebel line had previously dominated. But now, Canon is poised to compete with Nikon for that goldmine: the set of users who are looking to upgrade from a point-and-shoot to a baby SLR. Continue reading Canon Launches 1000D, The New Rebel XS
Public Defender Semi Annual Meeting
Canon EOS 1Ds versus Canon EOS 5D
Sometimes new(er) isn’t always better. Take for example: Windows XP versus Windows Vista. Our office (and many others) have refused to make the up(down)grade to Windows Vista because of the slow performance, annoying security policies, and it offers nothing that we don’t already get with XP.
So how does something that is 6 years old like the Canon EOS 1Ds compare to the 3 years old Canon EOS 5D? It’s a tough call, but let’s see why anyone would choose an older SLR over a newer model. It’s worth noting that the only reason we can or even should compare the two cameras is because of the full frame sensor. Also you might be wondering why compare the original 1Ds rather than the newer and better Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II? The Mark II’s price (~$4000) is still significantly above the 5D whereas the original 1Ds’ price (~$1800) has fallen to be right on par with the 5D. Other than that, these two cameras are completely different and serve different purposes. Continue reading Canon EOS 1Ds versus Canon EOS 5D
Iron Man: Best Marvel Movie So Far
Iron Man is one of my most favorite super heroes next to Batman and Superman. Before you read any further, let me assure you that there are no spoilers. This isn’t so much an in depth review as it is just my thoughts. So when I heard that Marvel was finally bringing him to the big screen, I was excited but also concerned. Concerned if they would do a good job. Marvel’s track record has been a bit spotty Spiderman 3 was good but not great. Although they did do a good Venom and Sandman. Ang Lee’s Hulk was a flop for all intents and purposes. Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer…well let’s just say if Jessica Alba wasn’t Susan Storm, there wouldn’t be much more of a reason to even watch it. DC, on the other hand, has been batting perfect with Batman Begins and Superman Returns. And with the Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, releasing July 18, Marvel needs a summer blockbuster. Enter Iron Man.
Andrea and I finally got a chance to see Iron Man on Saturday and long story short: it is Marvel’s best movie so far. Fantastic choice casting Robert Downey Jr. as the lead, Anthony “Tony” Stark aka Iron Man. Downey Jr. fits the part of Tony Stark perfectly. Tony has problems with alcohol, so did Downey Jr. Tony is arrogant, Downey Jr. plays that part perfectly. I was a bit surprised that Terrence Howard was casted as James Rhodes. I had always imagined Michael Jai White would have been the perfect actor to portray Rhodes, but after seeing Terrence, I think he did a good job. Gwenyth Paltrow did a great job as Virginia “Pepper” Potts. The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Paltrow was just about perfect: the frustration of wanting to be together, but can’t because of the impact on the friendship. Jeff Bridges’ as second-in-command of Stark Industries, Obadiah Stane was excellent. It was odd to see Jeff Bridges bald and with a Fidel Castro beard.
The Iron Man armor is awesome. The CG of how the armor is put on, functions, and works is just wickedly out of this world! The commercials on TV and trailer do not do it justice. The CG is so real, you can almost believe the possibility of an Iron Man armor.
Another thing I love about the movie is that it is violent without being gratuitously violent. I mean unlike all the other Marvel movies so far, this one, the lead character is a weapons designer and manufacturer. He is, for all intents and purposes, a Lord of War. But the violence portrayed is enough for any die hard action aficionado. This allows the movie to keep it’s PG-13 rating and apply to familes of almost all ages.
For the most part, Marvel has kept the Iron Man story line true to the comic storyline; which is great for long time Iron Man fans. I definitely can’t wait for the sequel. If you have already seen the movie, you can checkout this Wikipedia SPOILER [WARNING: SPOILER!!!!] link as a good refresher.
First image of Tony Stark in Iron Man armor is courtesy StarPulse.com. Second image of Tony Stark making modifications to his Mark III armor is courtesy of TheMovieBlog.com. Last picture of Iron Man in flight courtesy of GiantMag.com.