[ P H E N Y L A L A N I N E |:. ------- .:|:. Stage 3.4b .:|00000011.00000100|:. -------- ]

Thursday, January 05, 2006

post://113651900002184929/

Finally, I've got the site looking how I orginally intended. I guess it just took some ambition.

I've been busy attempting to get to the bottom of the XBox controller. No one knows one way or another. It's a new product, and a very very small percentage of people have purchased the controllers for use with Windows XP.

I'm anxiously awaiting another official driver release, but again... not holding my breath.

I'll be transferring the blog over to the new format. Streamlined, only 2k of code for the main page, the pictures are another story. It's still a long time to load for me on a Wireless connection. It's fine via the office, or from one of the main computers, but it's certainly not instant.

Check it out. Or you'll be seeing it soon anyway.

posted @ 22:40

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Wednesday, January 04, 2006

post://113641699941941700/

Follow-up to the XBox story:
I've contacted the PR agency regarding the functionality of the XBox Controller "for Windows XP".
I hope to get to the bottom of things, since the Tech support can't seem to get their heads around this.

If it's an intention to not have the rumble work, there's a problem.
If they did intend to have the rumble work, there's still a problem.

Case 1) They have created a controller that works for both their Microsoft designed XBOX 360 "computer" and conventional PCs running WinXP. However, they apparently did not speak with their DirectX crew regarding how to make ForceFeedback work via DirectInput. The whole point of DirectX is to make it easy on developers and hardware manufacturers so they can easily create a device that is "Plug & Play" with Windows. Conundrum anyone?

Case 2) They fully intended to create ForceFeedback, but somewhere along the lines they put out the wrong driver, or (in traditional Microsoft style) they didn't have it ready for launch. The driver I have was dated Sept 27th. The initial launch date? Can anyone help me out here?

I would like an answer. I was told by XBox tech support: "Oh, yeah... the rumble doesn't work on PC"

I want to know why hackers can put together a driver that rumbles when Microsoft can not. You wrote DirectX! You created ForceFeedback (v2 now?), and still... your own hardware device lacks? For SHAME! (prove me otherwise)

I need to set the record straight, for all you tearing your hair out just like me. This guy blamed his PC and Matt's site has got a whole bunch of people with the same issue. Amazingly enough they all want to play Need for Speed Most Wanted with rumble! It seems to be a driving force (no pun intended, honestly!) behind this. A major game developer (Electronic Arts) too! It's not some podunk little game company trying to get Force Feedback to work, EA's done it before. I had NFS 3 and it supported Force Feedback, I think they know how to code it correctly!

They have a down and dirty way to get it to work. First you have to get XBCD - an XBox controller to USB driver utility, then download the "profile" - essentially a .sys file (driver) and .inf (pointer to the driver) that tells XBCD how to speak 360. Once that's done... Nirvana:

Lots O options... and... RUMBLE!

Of course I want to be using the WHQL drivers, but why, oh why don't they rumble?!!
To be continued...

posted @ 18:11

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Tuesday, January 03, 2006

post://113641765127870295/

OK, so here's the deal. The "official" Microsoft driver from WindowsGaming.com does not list a "Force" Tab for testing Force Feedback. The only Knowledgebase articles I can find reference Sidewinder and Windows 98. WTF!
Those say to go into a game that supports Force Feedback and try it in there.

I called Tech support, they said they'd put in a ticket. He couldn't give me a ticket number though... hmmm... I'm not going to hold my breath for that one.

I found a review, and several discussion boards, doesn't seem that anyone's been able to get vibration to work. On the plus side I did notice that they have an actual driver for WinXP64, right from the get go, a 64 bit driver! I wonder if they sacrificed the Force Feedback to get a 64 bit driver done in time?

*update* There's a program called Pnnacle, but it remaps the buttons to keyboard, which defeats the whole purpose of the analog sticks. The deadzone also seems to be a big problem, which this other program says will fix the issue.

More investigation is needed!

*update update* (this has taken FAR too much time for a new toy)
Check this out, it's the modified drivers I used to get it to work.
Incidently it doesn't work for WinXP64, I even tried the Win2k3 package, no luck.

It worked on WinXP Pro but I had to remove the XBOX Controller... directory from c:\Program Files, then I deleted the xnsomething.sys file from c:\windows\system32\drivers and the files dated today (like an hour ago, or whenever you installed it) from the c:\windows\inf directory (hidden).

Once you've got that, install the EXE, then run the BAT to copy the .sys and .inf files to the right place (you can always copy them manually if the BAT makes you nervous).

posted @ 21:32

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post://113633309952482770/

Here's what really happened to Suprnova.org.

My brand new XBox controller does not seem to be working. Well... it works, but it doesn't rumble. Investigating the issue led to the above link.

posted @ 19:04

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post://113632831807213557/

Just got my XBOX 360 Controller for Windows (it's got a cord).

Also found 10 fun body tricks you never knew you could do. Among them:
relieving sinus pressure
Which ear hears voices better, music
Get rid of a tickle in your throat... and some others that I didn't get to read yet.

posted @ 17:43

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Monday, January 02, 2006

post://113624582635881375/

I just finished playing F.E.A.R. for PC. It has been quite a while since there was an original story. The story is what set this apart from every other FPS out there. There were parts that I wished for the Half-Life 2 engine, in that you should be able to stack the boxes all over the place and do things with them, or throw a paint can around a corner to distract a guard.

All in all I'd give it 3 out of 4 stars. It flowed pretty well, it was difficult to get lost, because if you took the wrong route, it normally brought you to a dead end with a power up, very unlike Doom in that respect. The graphic effects they used, to pull you into the hallucination scenes, and the tunnel fuzziness that occurs when you engage 'bullet time', blurring anything in your peripheral field of vision.

The scary parts set it apart from your usual FPS, and that's good, because there's nothing wrong with a FPS - they've just been done to death. Most gamers have a "played one, played them all" mentality.

It's worth the $40. Go pick it up, you should flow through it pretty well. At first you're among the pipes, but the scenery changes as you progress. It all goes smoothly, and gives you enough pieces throughout to keep you going, wondering what it all means. I didn't exactly figure it out, I had an idea as to what was going on, but the ending was a very satisfactory one.

I didn't have that feeling that it was all for naught.

posted @ 18:42

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Thursday, December 29, 2005

post://113586137429647649/

I liked penguins before, they're just funny all wobbly and stuff. Reminds me of a weeble, and then they go and slide on their tummy.

I saw March of the Penguins on Christmas and it was really fun. I have a respect for the penguin, but really it all boils down to the fact that they just look funny, and wobble. Now I respect their wobble though. They manage to protect their egg, share the rearing duties, and sacrifice a great deal in order to bring another penguin into the world. One egg, one shot, and a lot of them fail.

I can't breathe, my back hurts.
I woke up like this. I'm not sure if it was lifting my monitor yesterday that did it, it didn't hurt at the time, but I can't really move without catching something, causing me to gasp for breath and avoid shouting "OUGHWA!".
Damn volitile lungs.

posted @ 08:02

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Saturday, December 24, 2005

post://113548378910829569/

It's been a year since I updated any of my other pages.
I just noticed that. Huh.

I don't have as much time to update all the separate pages now, however -- being gainfully employed and all.

Here, have some Christmas Humor. I think I may have added it to my links, but there was a day or two that didn't get updated. Thus I'm including it here. It deserves a feature. It's not so much the "chicken scratches" cartoon, it's the complete conversation surrounding it. Check out the comments below the cartoon.

posted @ 23:07

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Wednesday, December 21, 2005

post://113519108251674618/

You know chickens are funny. There's a link in the link section - check it out, I think I should start putting the newest stuff at the top -- so look there for it!

It's got Christmas, Chickens, and English humor! There's even an absolute bummer of a comment by an English teacher, shooting the entire joke down!

posted @ 13:51

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Friday, December 16, 2005

post://113478923689006291/

The internet is for porn. (Safe for work)

posted @ 22:12

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post://113474002118263280/

If you can't listen to the show at work, you can at least watch the live broadcast from Yahoo:
http://music.yahoo.com/promos/howardstern/
I can't link to it via email post, but you can either copy/paste it or just go to Yahoo. It's right at the top of the Entertainment section.

posted @ 08:33

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Thursday, December 15, 2005

post://113469899425032101/

Well I just Downloaded Knight Rider on iTunes (the link is broken, it goes to Desparate Housewives... go fig) but look for Knight in the videos section. It's got the whole damn 1st season. It's "Classic NBC" and how. They've got some Dragnet episodes, etc... nothing I'd really be interested in except for Knight Rider.
I'm very impressed =)

I never thought they'd actually get me to pay $1.99 for a movie. They got me to pay .99 for a song, whats a $1 more?

It's really cool, I'm sure it looks absolutely stunning on a Video iPod, but it looks real good on the computer. looks about 300 x 300 native, but scales to fullscreen with hardly a digital artifact. I recommend downloading at least one. It might as well be a 40+ minute episode of Knight Rider.

They've also got some Conan O'Brian, but the Triumph clips are short, and the hour and a half version is 9.99. That's a little too rich for volitile video. I say that because it's restricted to up to 5 devices, and I'm pretty sure you can't burn it to a DVD. I'll try it, but I doubt it'll work. Toast isn't working since I upgraded to 10.3 so I'm at the mercy of iTunes.

posted @ 21:01

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Wednesday, December 14, 2005

post://113456910651615315/

I had a dream about a car last night. It was a realistic expectiation that I'd be getting a Subaru Legacy GT limited.
I think I had that in mind, as well as an M3 when I had this dream. It was stylized like the limited, with the bottom plastic panels of an earlier M3. Matte Gray plastic, like an Avalanche.

The grill, the plastic in and surrounding the hood scoop, the windshield squirters, and very small bits of plastic trim around the car were all replaced with carbon fiber. It was very tastefully done. Not really noticable until you got close, but damn did it look good. I'm going to try and take some pictures and photoshop the areas I'd modify.

Then I can see how realistic it might be to make this dream a reality. If I can design it, I could propose it to someone who can do mold work, possibly getting a prototype for myself, and a line of marketable accessories.

This merchant mind of mine is always churning.

posted @ 09:05

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post://113456411235038080/

Today would be an otherwise OK day. I didn't sleep in that much over my alarm, but I stayed up a little too late last night. I hardly ever catch the Daily Show, but turns out Stern was on. It was very odd to see him in person. I'm used to the voice, but even that was different. I have a feeling they modify the microphone so he sounds the best that he can. He may have been nervous, but he had a higher pitch voice.

I added the Burger King flash that I was looking for a while back. Check it out in the links section, click the yellow link above-^

posted @ 07:41

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Sunday, December 04, 2005

post://113371137972619060/

I just found a way to keep a dynamic list of the top 100 songs on iTunes per my music tastes.

Check it out, I've got Alternative, Rap/HipHop, Rock, Electronica, Dance... keep in mind these are other people's tastes, a direct reflection of what has been purchased on iTunes. I'll experiment with some of the other categories and types of lists, but it's got a lot of options to start. Check it out, and treat yourself to some new music while doing your online holiday shopping!

It should work regardless, but you may need an RSS Reader if you don't already have Safari (OSX) or Firefox.

posted @ 10:47

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Wednesday, November 30, 2005

post://113336902385058094/

I was so excited for the advent of the Mazdaspeed 6. It promised so much -- a lot of horsepower to a bigger car, bigger engine, redesigned and better... instead they put a really good engine in a cheap shell and they're charging a lot for it.

I was very disappointed with the car. I had such high hopes and it never met them. I got 0-6 in about 4.2 secconds with my Mazdaspeed Protege (03), the 6 pulls about 6.4 -- just not right. It grips, but it grips after calculating, you can almost feel the computer decide what it wants to do, balancing between the 4 wheels, holding off until it knows that it's got traction, then kicking it. Even stomping on the highway didn't pull me back enough. It hauled, it certainly did, but the quality of the interior and the price just don't seem to match.

I love the engine, but doubt Mazda's first all wheel drive sedan transmission and the computer behind it all. I was also looking for the special touches that made my Protege so appealing. It had reworked bumpers, and the exhaust poked out of the rear, however there were oversized ovals with a tiny tailpipe poking out. They were just for show. The kick panels were also cheap. They were diamond plate, but it was aluminum, or alloy... it was very light. The interior looked nice, like a brushed gun metal, but it was stuck on plastic. I'm sure it'll scratch in no time. The dash was the same quality, guages were mystifying, and the radio was a Bose -- a traditional Bose that I'd want to rip out in a heartbeat.

There were so many things I just didn't like about it. I knew it wouldn't be worth the ammount I'd have to strap to get it, and that I'd never feel it was worth the money.

I'm going to test drive a Subaru Legacy GT - Subaru knows all wheel drive, I'm hoping for better.
It's less HP, but a bigger engine. It's also turbocharged, but I don't think it's got the 12+ psi of the Mazdaspeed 6. The Protege was a measly 5psi.

I'm still weighing if it'll be worth it to trade in the car as is, all waterlogged, or if I should fix it, use it, and get the new car later. In any case I think it'll be spring. Maybe for my birthday. I'll scrounge all winter, hoarding my nuts... and then... nirvanna.

posted @ 11:43

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Tuesday, November 29, 2005

post://113327662695130179/

Codes - enter at the first menu screen
iammostwanted Unlock cars
burgerking Unlocks Burger King Challenge
castrol Unlocks Castrol Ford GTI

I got to play NFS Most Wanted, the full game for PC last night. I'm able to make better comparison's with XBOX 360 now. The video on XBOX was much better, it was running actual DVD instead of streaming off the HD. They should have done the same with the PC version, the video can get choppy, and I'm running a very fast SATA 3G/sec HD.

The gameplay is the same, controls are tight, and the movies are all the same.
I got an extra $10,000 for having NFS Underground 2 installed on my computer, but otherwise started out the same. The graphics can get much better on the PC version, but the same issue with the shadows looking really pixellated are the same. I haven't yet turned up the antialiasing to see if that helps with that issue, however. Normally turning up antialiasing causes more issues with transparent textures, you'll often see white outlines around the "holes", like a badly made transparent GIF.

There's a few exclusive challenges, exclusive cars, and an exclusive DVD in the PC version. I haven't even watched the DVD yet. It got really high ratings, and for good reason, it's a damn good game, really fun, and the graphics can scale for 32mb video cards up to 5x better then XBOX.

XBOX wins out of the box though, no installing, no adjusting, tweaking, and no movnig your computer to the living room to watch it on the HD TV, and a much better controller - cordless even. They need to make a wireless Microsoft Controller for PCs, if that were the case then there'd be no contest. They could also give me an HD TV that I could use as a monitor in my computer room -- yeah, that'd work too.

posted @ 10:03

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Monday, November 28, 2005

post://113322167998875203/

I am installing NFS Most Wanted Black Edition. It comes with a free DVD, because you need something to watch while you're installing the 4 CDs worth of data! 3 Gigs via CD... why not a DVD? It's 2005, they've been around since... like 1998 or something. Only poor people don't have DVD drives at this point, and poor people don't buy games!

Nicole got me an early XMas present. It was kinda my doing, but I knew she'd want what I got her (Settelers of Catan), so it all worked out.

posted @ 18:44

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post://113322169368990588/

posted @ 18:44

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Friday, November 25, 2005

post://113296113095402757/

I went snowboarding today!

It was fairly icy by the time I got there, but my brother hit the slopes this morning and was done about 12 so he gave me his lift sticker. We found if you have another sticker underneath it will peel right off. I had no problems, it stayed stuck, and got today's snowboarding for free. Also -- since my Mom got me a Bash badge for Xmas, it'll only cost me $20 tomorrow.

I was able to get down the slope, and shoosh well enough. I was still sore from Wednesday (I worked out at the gym, attempting to prevent sore muscles in my legs after snowboarding. Thus I ended up snowboarding with sore muscles in my legs because of working out).

It's weird how I forget from season to season. I get the hang of it quicker every year but it's so weird getting the feeling for it again. I only fell once after going particularly fast and then shooshing a little too much the other way but otherwise did OK.

I'll probably rock out tomorrow, it was snowing when they closed this evening, so hopefully that'll keep up for some more powder tomorrow. It's supposed to heat back up later in the week, so I'm glad I'm getting it in now.

I still haven't bought my new board. I was wondering about it today, I think if I got a really wide board I'd be able to shoosh even more, take a nice leisurely way down the mountain. I'm not really in it for the speed. I've found how speed can quickly lead to a bump too far and kaboomaloom, I'm limping for 2 months.

Towards the end I was heading for moguls to get the hang of bouncing all around. Keeping the legs loose, moving with the board, turning into it and knowing where I need to be when I land after taking a j(b)ump.

My goal is to enjoy the ride, not get hurt, and learn to control myself absolutely. So far I'm complacent enough with that.

If anyone wants to go snowboarding in the next month or two, let me know. I may be able to get you a $20 daypass if my brother is busy or not going to go that day, and there's free lodging and food.

posted @ 18:12

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Wednesday, November 23, 2005

post://113296194273289531/

I just got back from Jay's house.

He got an XBox 360. He waited in line at Walmart near Worcester (Leicester?) for midnight, I think he said 6 hours? He was 1 away from the Platinum system, and thus in order to get all the pieces he wants, he's got to hunt all over, and pay a lot more then getting the entire package ready to go.

He has a 42" Hitachi HDTV, maybe 2 years old or so... and he had just gotten the HD cable when I got there. It really did look amazing, and the gameplay was nothing but tight. I had picked up Perfect Dark and NFS Most Wanted. Perfect Dark he paid me for and NFS was his XMas present. I wasn't really jonesin' for a 360, but really enjoyed playing it. I still don't think I'd want one. I'd much rather invest the money in a much better computer. However, I believe I said that about the first one too. I broke down eventually, but for the time being I think I'm good with the PC. I spent enough on that thing to buy 2 XBoxen.

The interface is probably where it's much more improved. You are on XBox live all the time, you can talk to anyone, see when your buddies are on, and interact with XBox live in the middle of any game, talk to anyone while playing whatever game, single player or otherwise, and easily meet up with friends who are also playing -- as long as the XBox is on, and they've got LIVE enabled you're good to go.

The power supply is huge, about 12" x 4" x 4", transformer, whatever it's called, and it makes a whole bunch of noise just sitting still. I wouldn't leave this one on. It's made of a PowerMac G5 processor, which is normally passively cooled but the additional components must generate a lot of heat. It's also got ATI video, some proprietary Hard Drive (optional with the base model, but you need it) and 802.11b built in.

So we never really got to Perfect Dark because NFS was so amazing. Jay never liked the Underground games because they were "in the dark" this was in the light. In addition the game is so well done, it keeps you in the game even between races. For instance: if you are racing and you attract the attention of some police, it ain't over just cause the race is. You need to get away from those cops whose attention you caught while racing. You can hit various objects that collapse, get in their way, or get enough distance and take a backway to avoid them. Avoid them long enough and they lose you. However they're all over the place, so it sounds a lot easier then it is - especially when they are lvl2+.

It's well done, I was very happy that he liked it. It also synched my future purchase of it for PC -- completely scalable in graphics with the same game. Ahhhh, choice.

So XBox got my approval. If you're lucky enough to have one, brag about it, make everyone jealous, and they won't really believe you how good it looks/plays until you invite them over to play it for themselves.

posted @ 02:25

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Friday, November 11, 2005

post://113175373353290380/

I also updated the links page, click the yellow "link" up at the top here -^
I'll set it so it can be resized, but not now, now is time for beer! Beer and games!

Atually not quite yet... still waiting for it to download, about half done and hate to get into another game in the meanwhile. I'm stuck in NFS Underground 2. I've gotten really far, I'm about to go to the next "level" of courses and races, but have to beat 1 of 2 races... and I can't beat either. I can't upgrade my car any more until I go up a level, either. I guess I made a bad choice in cars.

In any case I'm hopeful about the new one. Jay is always saying he doesn't like Underground "because it's at night, I don't like racing at night..." well this one's durring the day, and there's cops!

The other one was missing that "I'm not supposed to be doing this" feel like EVERY OTHER NFS GAME EVER. So looks like they're going back to that, and that's good.

I'm not getting an XBOX 360, but I may get the newest PC games to make me feel better. This system ought to spank the 360 for another year or so, if I compare price it ought to last 3 times as long as the XBox 360. Maybe it'll last twice as long at 1.5 times the quality, yeah... that's it.

I spent all day coding today. The boss was out, and I was feeling inspired. It was a very relaxing day given the past week. It was nice to just do my own thing, there were a few people who were having issues, but nothing major, and nothing I had to do right then.

I have been making a chat tool for the company, modifying one, rewriting it... I took 3 different winsock based text tools and combined them into 1 with specific notifications when a message comes in to each, redesigned the application, and just gone done compiling all the help for it this week. It seems like the work is never ending. Just when I think I've got it ready to go... the boss comes up with more things we should add to it.

It's not necessarily bad, just never ending. I added HTML help, real Windows help instead of cheap "hey, this window pops up when I click the big HELP button" kind of help. Now I can add that to any application I make.

I realized today that the HyperLINK application doesn't even do what it's supposed to. It's missing some major major changes I have been doing with the new program: QuickLINK. It works with the code I've been trimming down for my LINKs page. I've now separated it into a scrolling links page and an image display/animation slideshow sort of thing (used it on the Teagno Construction Site heh, that's amusing now that I'm writing it out.

So umm... to sum up (damn this is a long post) - work is good, I'm doing a lot of fun stuff, learning VB .NET/2005 as I perfect VB6. Still got a looooong way to go before I reach "professional programmer" status, but maybe next I'll tackle arrays or go back to school to at least knock down a VB2 course.
School would be good, might as well finish up. I've already lost credits I'm sure, but would be good just the same.

posted @ 18:50

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Yeah... I'd much rather feel like I shouldn't be doing something during the day, than completely legal at night!!

By Jay, at 11:51 AM

post://113175251961464259/

Wow. Not bad for DSL. Verizon recently upgraded me to 3mb for no charge. I was supposed to get it from the beginning, but started out with 1.5mb, usually got about 150k with that, now I'm getting upwards of 300k... and this is from a public "fileshack" sort of site. Getting the new Need For Speed - Most Wanted demo. We'll see how it is... in about 20 minutes.

posted @ 18:38

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post://113174183171560853/

George Michael - Father Figure

This song takes on a bit of an odd meaning now that we're aware of his sexuality:

I will be your father figure
I will be your preacher
...
I am sick of crimes
I will love you, till the end of time.
Put your little hand in mine.
...
(and later in the final bars of the song)
I WILL BE YOUR DADDY!

...hmmm, I detect some homosexual undertones, insinuations towards the clergy, and that Mr Michael is longing to be the "father figure" for some lucky young gentleman.

...but that's just me.

posted @ 15:43

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Wednesday, November 09, 2005

post://113158022655290411/

wow. Check out this screenshot from the next 3DMark [tech preview]

I got some overclocking pointers today from Overclocker.com Check out the forums, they've got the most info.

I switched RAM between the two computers, put the 466mhz Dual Channel DDR in the AMD64, then put the 400mhz Dual Channel DDR in the P4. I'm currently attempting to get 3DMark working so that I can see if the addition of faster RAM and my tweaking have given any results.

I also figured out why Battlefield 2 is slow. I'm running in in WinXP64! I'm doing it just cause I can, it supports SLi mode so I've been using it, but remembered that it was MUCH faster in native XP. So I'll give it a shot after this and prove my point. The other item was my voltage. The AMD64FX can handle up to 1.65v, I was running about 1.40.

Slate took a story about a principal cancelling the prom due to "things getting out of control" and made a revolution out of it!.
The principal was referring the people who have sex, drink, do drugs, and the parents who let them because they want their kid to be cool and have the best prom ever. Now I never had no crazy prom, I didn't grow up on Long Island, and I really don't think these people can speak for the rest of the country, which is what this revolution sounds like to me...

posted @ 18:46

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I wish I received earth shattering results from the Battlefield XP test, but might be better performance in XP64. It makes sense, it should be talking 64 bits with the video drivers. Even if the game doesn't speak 64 bit, the operating system is still interacting with the hardware via 64 bit instructions.

With my memory settings I got from the Kingston site entered into the bios, I now have the AMD64FX running upwards of 3gig (rated 2.6), air-cooled. Imagine what I could get out of it if I had a liquid cooled system. I could also take care of this nagging problem with my chipset fan.

When I first start the system the fan on the motherboard chipset won't start until I give it a push.

By Josh, at 6:48 PM

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

post://113150194821988429/

I had just signed out of updating my blog and saw this:
http://hymen-defloration.blogspot.com/

OMG - I'm not even going to link to this, but Jesus... I saw it scroll by on blogger and I must say it caught my eye. Not everyone names their blog Hymen yadda yadda.
I can't believe this... well, I can... but damn if it ain't surprising.
It's got links for porn, and a very descriptive "entry" so please use your discression in going there and following anywhere it may want to lead you...

Aside from that... I just saw an ad on HBO for an upcoming series:
I have Torrets, but Torrets doesn't have me.

I'm just all sorts of out of it. What the hell is going on????!!!

posted @ 21:04

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post://113150144939848200/

I just saw Meet the Fockers. I give it a solid 4 out of 5.
No one is more surprised then I about this.
I expected a really tough movie to watch. Similar to the first one, Along Came Polly, and the other painful to watch Ben Stiller movies. It was a little of the sort, but damn it was good.
An incredible performance by Barbara Streisand, it was a heart warming story of two families coming together with a marriage.

It was actually encouraging, though a fictional tale, to see two completely different families coming together with the union of two people.

I know it's just a movie, but I sit here moved, amused, and wanting to let everyone know: THIS ONE IS GOOD!

posted @ 20:52

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Sunday, November 06, 2005

post://113130239763649757/

Naysayers said nay, the government said "oh, don't worry about it"
Now we see what they did with the Patriot Act.

I'm all for privacy, I'm all for the government knowing as little about any one citizen as possible. Why do they need to investigate who's used the libraries? Maybe they can see who looked up bombs? or who may be fascinated by Al Queda?

Just because someone wants to know more about something doesn't give you any reason to put them under surveillance. Once you're watching them, who knows what else you may "bag" them for?

I downloaded the Anarchist's cookbook, I read all about hacking and phreaking. If I was looking this up from the library, I could have been tracked, and might be on their list right now. You may think I'm being paranoid, but it's not that simple.
I am afraid, but I'm afraid of a realization of 1984.

Do you think this poses a threat?
Would you care if they were looking into your life?

posted @ 13:27

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Thursday, November 03, 2005

post://113103991602005104/

So I'm trying out Sirius online again. Another 3 day trial.
If you have any technical prowess -- and an interest in getting free radio... let me know.
Even if it's just online I'd still like to figure out what makes them tick.
The quality is 34khz, but the programming content is what I want.

I'll subscribe, eventually, but need to make sure I get the car all hooked up wtih it first.
Here's the deal:

Sign up with Sirius Online (www.sirius.com) and search the programming. You can listen to all the channels right from the web page.
It will ask you to sign up. Use a secondary, or email address just for this purpose.
You'll get a password in the mail.
Log in and the player window will come up.
Start listening.
Pull the window to the right (resize) until you see white.
Right click on the wite and choose "view source".
Send me that source.
If you want to know the ins and outs of why I'm doing this, contact me in person and I can explain.

Thats all I can say about it, but you'll get some really good programming for a few days and you'll be helping me out.

Collect enough pieces and you'll know what the puzzle looks like.

posted @ 12:45

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Sunday, October 30, 2005

post://113070297525128451/

So I was looking for the number for Quickies in Chicopee and found this. Scroll down to the "Quickies" section.
Mike Haggardy -- who woulda thought. It's amazing what a snapshot in time the internet can be... and that bestcheesesteaks.com is actually still around.

posted @ 15:08

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Saturday, October 22, 2005

post://113000101322331182/

Lookie what Google gone and did. They done made an IM client that you's can talk wit.
It even works with existing clients that support the Jabber protocol: iChat(OSX), GAIM(XP,OSX,LiNuX), (not AIM).
If you're tired of AIM and it's related viruses propagating through your buddy list -- this is a great alternative.

posted @ 13:05

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Wednesday, October 19, 2005

post://112977118144505466/

I've created a new program. Well, it's a remake of an old program, but it's done in VB2005 (.NET) so it's a little more advanced. It will also go 64-bit eventually. I've just got to compile it on the 64-bit machine. However it's not really like it needs it. There's hardly an processing involved, it's all text.

I give you HyperLINK v2.0
*UPDATE* Just the EXE.
I think I just forgot to include the rest of the setup files.

You can pop in a URL, a description, and it will output the code. Newly added to this version is the ability to save that code as an HTML file. Simply paste the code into an Email, IM, or upload it to your website to list your links.

posted @ 21:12

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bugga!
the beta install libraries don't seem to work
i'll post the .net b2 library files and the exe. just install the libaries and run the exe.

By Anonymous, at 10:13 PM

Yeah, turns out the program I published doesn't even create a new line after each link. I'm so far beyond that version with the newest QuickLINKs program. It will create straight HTML compatible code, or code which works with the CGSystems scrolling links format. If you want to implement that on your site check out the work site: CGSystems.biz or email me @ the work email:
my 4 letter name (at) CGSystems.biz

By Josh, at 6:48 PM

Sunday, October 16, 2005

post://112951339177134924/

Finally! It's done for the most part.
Check it out: Teagno Construction Inc.
It was a weird day today. I got up early, played some pointless GTA: San Andreas to get my brain moving. I say pointless cause I've already beat it. I'm now trying to collect all the cars, pick up any secrets I missed, and have fun with it. There's still a bunch to do even after beating it. I had a lot of fun doing it.
Here are some of my favorite moments I've uploaded the screenshots to fotopages. =)

The power went out today. I thought I blew a fuse, it was a brown out, nothing had enough electricity. My lavalamp was running very dimly but the power strip light wouldn't even light up. It was odd. Of course this was right after I started getting productive. However, I use the laptop for all my webstuff anyhow, makes it easier to bring it along with me, show a customer the work in progress, etc.
At any rate I was able to do quite a bit before I got so hungry I had to go get something. Not enough electricity to turn on the microwave, and all I had was some cold hamburger helper.

Jay and I went to the Salty Dog last night. It's good to go there every once in a while. I get to see him all mac'n it and we usually see quite a few people we know from all over. I felt really odd though, didn't drink that much and stopped early. I just didn't feel all that great drinking. My stomach was weary, and ever since Kyle's party I've not felt too good about my drinking ability.

I have no idea when to stop and I feel really bad cause I went way overboard when I was there. I was out in a matter of hours. I don't remember much after beer pong, and that scares me. I'd rather have conversations, maybe meet some people, at least remember the fuckin night. I'm forever going to be "that guy" at parties unless I change my strategy. No more drinking pingpong ball-laden beer out of keg cups, no more mixing my own drinks, and no chain drinking.
I just keep drinking it if it's in my hand.

Oh! I forgot I can take videos now! I was ready with my cell camera when Jay got on the bar and was pummelled by the two bartenders (for a free shot) but all I got was a nice shot of his ass, I could have been getting video of the whole thing. Oh well, I'll remember next time... maybe?

posted @ 21:29

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It's fun to read about us on your blog. We gotta go back to the Salty Dog again, I loved those bartenders. Oh yeah...I have huge bruises still on my ass!!

By Anonymous, at 10:31 AM

Thursday, October 13, 2005

post://112923355397582222/

Test

posted @ 15:59

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Now... why am I looking to trade in my sporty speedster? I have to use premium, the premium means I pay a 20 cent premium on each gallon of gas that I buy. $1 for every 5 gallons, about $2.50 a fill up. About $10 more a month. That's at gas prices as of today - about $3.30 for premium.

I figured I'm going to be spending about 300 a month for gas with the prices as they are currently. I wanted to see if turning my car in could save me money. It's impossible to get a used Insight at this point, and even if it wasn't it wouldn't be much cheaper. I could have saved $75 a month in payments for an '05 but I would have had to get a 72 month loan. I have a 60 right now, that's good enough for me. I didn't even know they -had- 72 month loans. What kind of shape is your car going to be in 72 months? I am all for paying things off ahead of time, which is why I have about 8 grand of equity right now: the difference between what I owe and what it's worth. It's got a good resale value because it's a rare car, but it just wouldn't have been worth giving up a car I love, for a new car that's just as expensive and limited.

A dealership just can't give me enough, for what I've spent on aftermarket stuff I'd want to get $13-15,000 for it. I'll certainly entertain any offers. It's an '03 limited edition Mazdaspeed Protege with 55,000 miles. It's got the front end of the Protege5 (wagon), so it has a really low front end with large foglights, without all the reflectors and funky stuff. It's got sideskirts, and a lower rear bumper as well. Intake is improved over the traditional Protege, tuned to the larger exhaust which helps the turbo push a bone-crunching 7psi. It's enough to bring a 135 2.0 to 179hp, though. It makes a differece.

I love it, it drives well, but it's not the type of car that lasts forever -- I've had my fun, and if it meant that I could save some money and stop feeling like I'm chipping away at an iceberg... I'd be all for it. It seems all my debt it unrealistically high, like I'll never pay it off. I wittle away at several credit cards every month, barely able to shrink the balance, even on the cards I haven't used in a year. The interest doesn't seem like all that much $15 here, $18 here -- and yet they dont' get any smaller.

How can this be? How did I get here? Who charged all this shit to my credit cards?
I haven't been using them, can't use them... but I'm getting nowhere and I hate it.

Calgon... take me away, or someone buy my car, at least. I could pay off quite a bit with $8000.
Anyone need a giggalo? I'll have to make sure it's ok first, but if it's enough money -- anything's possible.
=)

posted @ 15:48

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Wednesday, August 31, 2005

post://112550657930461690/

Has anyone heard of Chavs? Apparently Burberry is the new black... it looks as though they've mixed "HipHop"-style with "White" which I think Burberry is the epitome of.

Fashion designers are shying away from it, upscale stores are no longer selling it as older people now have an aversion to it with the surge of youth donning the fashionable pattern.

Also, apparently they're at war with the Goths.

posted @ 12:42

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