Posts
Torchwood Day Three Ratings
1 week ago
Friday, July 10, 2009
Random Quote
"It is difficult to produce a television documentary that is both incisive and probing when every twelve minutes one is interrupted by twelve dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper." - Rod Serling
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Boxee for Wndows, finally
At long last, Windows users can finally see what the Mac and Linux users are raving about.
Boxee is the media app that ties it all together. Imagine an app as easy to use as iTunes, but powerful enough to do it all. Boxee can play local media as well as internet sources like Hulu, Netflix and Pandora. It seems to have it's bugs on all platforms (like Hulu and Netflix occasionally refusing to play nice), but it can hit sites like YouTube without a complicated Web browser. Go get the latest version and enjoy!
Boxee is the media app that ties it all together. Imagine an app as easy to use as iTunes, but powerful enough to do it all. Boxee can play local media as well as internet sources like Hulu, Netflix and Pandora. It seems to have it's bugs on all platforms (like Hulu and Netflix occasionally refusing to play nice), but it can hit sites like YouTube without a complicated Web browser. Go get the latest version and enjoy!
Monday, June 1, 2009
GM plant closures
Here's a quick little map outlining GM plant closures, in an attempt to keep some portion of the company viable for the future. The map locations also note planned closure dates. Thanks Jalopnik!
Apple Macintosh clones
Apple has been dealing with Mac clones since the early years. I've had a few of the old ones. The Starmax was even built by Apple's chipmaker, Motorola. They kept me on the platform when I couldn't afford the Apple brand. If clones continue to be a part of the platform, I don't see it as a big hit to Apple. It's also motivation to provide Apple Macs that compete in the market. The MacPro is a wonderful system, the Mini is a compromise. Having IBM-compatibles didn't hinder Windows to grow as a platform. I believe that the Mac world has room for competition. Both FreedomPC and RussianMac (translated) look to fill the void left by Psystar during their Chapter 11 filing. Quo computer is set to open retail shops in California.
Apple's EULA is anti-competitive, restricting the OS to Apple-approved systems. This is even more an issue now that the hardware they use is not unique to their systems. OSx86 and other Hackintosh computers are evidence that clones are viable. I can see a day when the EULA is challenged in court with positive results.
I'll likely never move away from the Mac OS as my choice, why would I? It gives me the simplicity and user-friendly experience of an OS that simply works paired with powerful Unix abilities when I need them. It's what has always set Windows up to be a bane and Linux as being entirely too complicated.
I'm sitting comfortably using one of a few 13.3" plastic MacBooks for personal and professional use. Light and extremely portable, with impressive tech specs, they do all I need and much of what I want. Add on external audio and video for a media PC experience. Enjoy the wireless wherever available for work flexibility.
If there were a desktop Mac clone available at a decent price point that competed with the Windows systems, I'd have one. If OSx86 were not so difficult to set up, I'd convert my gaming rig in a heartbeat.
For all the support work I do both professionally and for friends and family, I recommend Macs anytime anyone asks. It's mostly my way of telling them I'm tired of fixing their Windows systems, but I'll fix any Mac issues without delay.
In the end, I'll continue to buy used Macs over new PC's any day. The Mac experience is so positive I can't find any reason to move to a different platform.
Apple's EULA is anti-competitive, restricting the OS to Apple-approved systems. This is even more an issue now that the hardware they use is not unique to their systems. OSx86 and other Hackintosh computers are evidence that clones are viable. I can see a day when the EULA is challenged in court with positive results.
I'll likely never move away from the Mac OS as my choice, why would I? It gives me the simplicity and user-friendly experience of an OS that simply works paired with powerful Unix abilities when I need them. It's what has always set Windows up to be a bane and Linux as being entirely too complicated.
I'm sitting comfortably using one of a few 13.3" plastic MacBooks for personal and professional use. Light and extremely portable, with impressive tech specs, they do all I need and much of what I want. Add on external audio and video for a media PC experience. Enjoy the wireless wherever available for work flexibility.
If there were a desktop Mac clone available at a decent price point that competed with the Windows systems, I'd have one. If OSx86 were not so difficult to set up, I'd convert my gaming rig in a heartbeat.
For all the support work I do both professionally and for friends and family, I recommend Macs anytime anyone asks. It's mostly my way of telling them I'm tired of fixing their Windows systems, but I'll fix any Mac issues without delay.
In the end, I'll continue to buy used Macs over new PC's any day. The Mac experience is so positive I can't find any reason to move to a different platform.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009
I don't think that this bill could get through many of the conservative states where hunting is a lifestyle, not just a hobby. Regardless, this is nothing to take lightly and deserves everyone's attention. Turn off the reality TV for a few minutes and show the government that they work for us.
Please forgive some of the copy-and-paste...
Congress is now starting on the firearms confiscation bill. If it passes, gun owners will become criminals if you don't fully comply.
It has started.
Very Important for you to be aware of a new bill HR 45 introduced into the House. This is the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009.
Even gun shop owners didn't know about this because the government is trying to fly it under the radar.
To find out about this - go to any government website and type in HR 45 or Google HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009. You will get all the information.
Basically this would make it illegal to own a firearm, any rifle with a clip or ANY pistol unless:
If you think this is a joke, go to the website and take your pick of many options to read this. It is long and lengthy. But, more and more people are becoming aware of this. Pass the word along. Any hunters in your family pass this along.
This is just a "termite" approach to complete confiscation of guns and disarming of our society to the point we have no defense, chip away a little here and there until the goal is accomplished before anyone realizes it.
This is one to act on whether you own a gun or not. The right to bear arms should not be tampered with, it is one of our founding ideas that a citizen should be able to protect themselves.
If you take my gun, only the criminal will have one to use against me. HR 45 only makes me/us less safe. After working with convicts for 26 years I know this bill, if passed, would make them happy and in less danger from their victims.
Write your congressman and voice your opinion! Fear the government that fears it's citizens.
More reading:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/show
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/text
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-45
Please forgive some of the copy-and-paste...
Congress is now starting on the firearms confiscation bill. If it passes, gun owners will become criminals if you don't fully comply.
It has started.
Very Important for you to be aware of a new bill HR 45 introduced into the House. This is the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009.
Even gun shop owners didn't know about this because the government is trying to fly it under the radar.
To find out about this - go to any government website and type in HR 45 or Google HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009. You will get all the information.
Basically this would make it illegal to own a firearm, any rifle with a clip or ANY pistol unless:
- It is registered
- You are fingerprinted
- You supply a current Driver's License
- You supply your Social Security number
- You will submit to a physical & mental evaluation at any time of their choosing
- Each update, change or ownership through private or public sale must be reported and costs $25. Failure to do so you automatically lose the right to own a firearm and are subject up to a year in jail.
If you think this is a joke, go to the website and take your pick of many options to read this. It is long and lengthy. But, more and more people are becoming aware of this. Pass the word along. Any hunters in your family pass this along.
This is just a "termite" approach to complete confiscation of guns and disarming of our society to the point we have no defense, chip away a little here and there until the goal is accomplished before anyone realizes it.
This is one to act on whether you own a gun or not. The right to bear arms should not be tampered with, it is one of our founding ideas that a citizen should be able to protect themselves.
If you take my gun, only the criminal will have one to use against me. HR 45 only makes me/us less safe. After working with convicts for 26 years I know this bill, if passed, would make them happy and in less danger from their victims.
Write your congressman and voice your opinion! Fear the government that fears it's citizens.
More reading:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/show
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h45/text
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-45
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Boxee and Mac, just about perfect
Boxee's interface is clean and intuitive, easy for novice users. It's also powerful and extensible, adding your own RSS feeds for custom content.
One of my favorite features is Boxee's ability to work with Apple's remote available for most recent models.
Boxee is based on Xbox Media Center. XBMC is available for Mac and Windows platforms, but I prefer the Boxee variation for it's friendly interface. Both are wonderful solutions to viewing a variety of media sources.
I've been running it on both 2.1GHz and 2.4 GHz MacBooks with 2Gb of memory, displaying wonderful results through a Sharp 42" LCD TV. It was enough to prompt me to disconnect my cable service. I'm thinking it will be about perfect on an Intel Mac Mini.
Apple's upgraded-at-last Mac Mini would be the perfect compliment to Boxee's features. It comes in a $599 base, with more than enough ability to run Boxee, games, Web browser and anything else you would want to throw at it. It will also run MS Windows via Bootcamp, VMWare or Parallels. Upgradeable to 6Gb of memory now, it's a sleeper of a computer.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Educate yourself
Do you want to continue your education but don't have time for scheduled courses? Do you desire the satisfaction of learning for the sake of learning, without incurring any debt? The educate yourself at your own pace. YouTube EDU and Academic Earth are two wonderful resources for university lectures recorded and posted online for anyone to watch for free.
Academic Earth is more like Hulu for learning.
YouTube EDU is like YouTube, but with content categorized by university.
Academic Earth is more like Hulu for learning.
YouTube EDU is like YouTube, but with content categorized by university.
Either way, you can take as much or as little time to sit and watch lectures from institutes like MIT, Purdue, Harvard and more. Anyone can sit through lectures about topics that interest them, without needing to enroll in a degree program with courses that may not be of much interest.
Monday, March 9, 2009
KLR650 vs DR650
I'm looking at getting into dual-sport riding, so a motorbike along the lines of Kawasaki's KLR650 (late gen) or Suzuki's DR650 fits the bill. They're easy on the wallet, even more so if you grab an older model.
Guess which one I'm leaning toward...
Guess which one I'm leaning toward...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Anytime with Bob Kushell
Anytime with Bob Kushell. The perfect late-night snack for your brain. It's a 5-minute barf-bag for your politically correct side, set in a Van Nuys garage, which feels like a shot across the bow of the big Late Nite talk shows. It comes across as somewhat scripted, but in a compressed sketch show-way. A list of guests that includes Nicole Sullivan, Neil Patrick Harris, Rob Corddory and Kat Von D, will entertain and surprise. All you need now is a good HTPC and you'll never want to watch the Tonight Show again, regardless of who is in the big chair.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Kill your television! (or at least your cable provider)
In an effort to retain my status as optimus cheap bastard, I've killed my television (or my cable provider). I've set up a television set with an S-Video connection to my Windows PC, acting like a second display. This allows me to drag videos from one display to another. I can play a movie on my old Sony 32" Trinitron tube-type in average resolution. This is similar to watching videos on YouTube or downloading a theater cam-shot early release. It's close enough for government work.
For about $600 base price, you can get Apple's Mac Mini, with a 2GHz processor and 1Gb of memory. Combine this with a big screen, Apple's little remote and Boxee for a near-perfect HTPC combination. I'm running this set up currently with a base model MacBook, loving every minute of it!
Another option for the Windows users is Acer's AX3200-series. It has an AMD Phenom 8400 2.1GHz processor and 4Gb of DDR2 memory. A 320 Gb internal drive should house my OS and some multimedia files. An available PCI slot for a capture card and HDMI output should help users capture incoming video (if you choose run cable, satellite or DTV box) and play on any modern television set. Add on a big external drive and keep as much content as you desire. A front media reader, USB and audio ports will allow typical PC use. I'll be running iTunes for music and Firefox for the browser-based content below. All this for less than $500 new. No custom configuration required.
The more basic Acer AL5100 will provide the HDMI output and fewer options at less than $400.
Just add on a wireless keyboard and mouse, then sit back and relax on the couch. Either way, the HTPC is a serious option to the standard cable/satellite/broadcast TV. Keep an eye on eBay, Craigslist, NewEgg and Amazon for new and used deals on these type of HTPC systems.
A custom PC might provide better performance, but at a higher cost. LianLi and Silverstone offer nice cases that are styled like AV receivers and fit nicely into the home theater. Apple's Mac Mini and AppleTV offer plug-and-play ability, as well as the simple Front Row app in the Tiger and Leopard operating systems. Microsoft's Windows operating system has a Media Center variant, but don't rule out Linux offerings.
For content, think YouTube. I'm compiling a collection of streaming content. This includes standard offerings from big players like ABC, CNN and SciFi, as well as providers of varying content like Hulu and NinjaVideo. Also consider NetFlix and Blockbuster, who offer web content and by-mail videos. iTunes offers for-purchase video content in addition to music now as well. Inquire with your high-speed internet provider about increasing your connection speed, it usually doesn't cost much more.
OVGuide: Online Video Guide
Hulu.com
NinjaVideo.net
For about $600 base price, you can get Apple's Mac Mini, with a 2GHz processor and 1Gb of memory. Combine this with a big screen, Apple's little remote and Boxee for a near-perfect HTPC combination. I'm running this set up currently with a base model MacBook, loving every minute of it!
Another option for the Windows users is Acer's AX3200-series. It has an AMD Phenom 8400 2.1GHz processor and 4Gb of DDR2 memory. A 320 Gb internal drive should house my OS and some multimedia files. An available PCI slot for a capture card and HDMI output should help users capture incoming video (if you choose run cable, satellite or DTV box) and play on any modern television set. Add on a big external drive and keep as much content as you desire. A front media reader, USB and audio ports will allow typical PC use. I'll be running iTunes for music and Firefox for the browser-based content below. All this for less than $500 new. No custom configuration required.
The more basic Acer AL5100 will provide the HDMI output and fewer options at less than $400.
Just add on a wireless keyboard and mouse, then sit back and relax on the couch. Either way, the HTPC is a serious option to the standard cable/satellite/broadcast TV. Keep an eye on eBay, Craigslist, NewEgg and Amazon for new and used deals on these type of HTPC systems.
A custom PC might provide better performance, but at a higher cost. LianLi and Silverstone offer nice cases that are styled like AV receivers and fit nicely into the home theater. Apple's Mac Mini and AppleTV offer plug-and-play ability, as well as the simple Front Row app in the Tiger and Leopard operating systems. Microsoft's Windows operating system has a Media Center variant, but don't rule out Linux offerings.
For content, think YouTube. I'm compiling a collection of streaming content. This includes standard offerings from big players like ABC, CNN and SciFi, as well as providers of varying content like Hulu and NinjaVideo. Also consider NetFlix and Blockbuster, who offer web content and by-mail videos. iTunes offers for-purchase video content in addition to music now as well. Inquire with your high-speed internet provider about increasing your connection speed, it usually doesn't cost much more.
OVGuide: Online Video Guide
Hulu.com
NinjaVideo.net
- Broadcast TV Channels
- BBC iPlayer - Home
- CBS Video: - CBS.com
- NBC Video Library
- ABC.com
- ABC Family: Videos
- Spike
- The WB.com - It's television. Online.
- CWTV Video
- PBS
- USA Networks
- The Daily Show
- Discovery, Science, TLC
- E! Online
- Biography Channel
- Ovation TV
- Chiller > Rewind
- A & E Television
- History Video Guide
- Videos | Bravo TV Official Site
- SCI FI Rewind | SCIFI.COM
- National Geographic Channel Videos
- Kids TV Channels
- Nickelodeon
- Cartoon Network Video | Full online episodes of Ben 10 and your favorite TV shows!
- N O G G I N: Home
- Audio
- BBC R1
- 101X | INDEPENDENT. LOCAL. ALTERNATIVE. | 101.5 KROX FM Radio, Austin Texas
- Switch 1197
-
- Radio
- BBC Home
- BBC Online - Radio
- Celtic Music Radio
- CryoCon Underground Radio Indutrial EBM Internet Radio
- Digitally Imported Radio
- ENERGY INTERNET RADIO - WORLDWIDE
- essmix.rpm (audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin Object)
- FreeAmp
- FreedomAudio -- Streaming Web Audio Player. Internet Radio, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Freeware
- Gatecrasher - connected
- Gatecrasher Transmissions
- InterFace Gatecrasher connection
- Internet Radio from Radio Magnetic - underground dance music 24/7
- KSMU 91.1
- Live365.com
- NPR
- Pulse Radio - Global Dance Radio
- PureDJ.com Webradio - 24/7 Electronical Dance music !
- SHOUTcast - HOME
- SMS Growl Internet Radio
- SMS Growl Internet Radio Dial-up
- SMS Growl Internet Radio High Speed
- www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/
- www.groovetech.com/
- www.icecast.org
- X MultiMedia System
- dance radio :::. LIVE dance internet radio station, unlike any other internet radio stations we keep our music UNDERGROUND
- Air America Radio
- BBC - Radio Ways to Listen - Podcasts & Downloads Guide
- Triple j Radio Australia
- Online video and movies
- ChannelChooser
- SideReel
- SurfTheChannel - Home
- Veoh
- MovieLab.tv
- Streaming TV Episodes
-
- YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
- Crackle
- Fancast
- Revision3 - Internet Television
- Home - Joost
- Watch Online TV
- crunchyroll - feed your need!
- Justin.tv - Live Streaming Video
- Atom Age Media online
- Welcome to Watch The Simpsons Online - FREE!
- TV Shack - tune in
- the Pirate City
- Graboid Video
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Triumph Scrambler
Coming in around $8,500 new, the air-cooled, carb'd (now FI), 59hp/51ft.lb 865cc parallel twin sits at about 450lbs. It has a 5-speed gearbox, chain-drive and a 32" seat. A single seat with rear rack is optional, perfect for a big ADV-style aluminum box. A 17" rear and a 19" front wheel give confidence on and off road. A 4.2 gallon tank should give decent time between stops.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Changing screen capture file format
When making screen captures in OS X 10.4.X, you can change the format of the resulting files. The following formats are available:
Use the following commands in Terminal. Make sure to run the 'killall 'command, or you will need to restart for the changes to take effect. Change 'jpg' to whatever format you prefer.
Here are the screen capture shortcut keys and their functions.
Command-Shift-3: Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it as a file on the desktop
If you have multiple displays, you will get a file for each screen.
Command-Shift-4, then select an area: Take a screenshot of an area and save it as a file on the desktop
Command-Shift-4, then space, then click a window: Take a screenshot of a window and save it as a file on the desktop
Command-Control-Shift-3: Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it to the clipboard
Command-Control-Shift-4, then select an area: Take a screenshot of an area and save it to the clipboard
Command-Control-Shift-4, then space, then click a window: Take a screenshot of a window and save it to the clipboard
gif, jpg, tiff, pdf, psd
Use the following commands in Terminal. Make sure to run the 'killall 'command, or you will need to restart for the changes to take effect. Change 'jpg' to whatever format you prefer.
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
killall SystemUIServer
Here are the screen capture shortcut keys and their functions.
Command-Shift-3: Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it as a file on the desktop
If you have multiple displays, you will get a file for each screen.
Command-Shift-4, then select an area: Take a screenshot of an area and save it as a file on the desktop
Command-Shift-4, then space, then click a window: Take a screenshot of a window and save it as a file on the desktop
Command-Control-Shift-3: Take a screenshot of the screen, and save it to the clipboard
Command-Control-Shift-4, then select an area: Take a screenshot of an area and save it to the clipboard
Command-Control-Shift-4, then space, then click a window: Take a screenshot of a window and save it to the clipboard
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