It's completely a gimmick, and as one without $150 to throw to a virtual keyboard, I cannot give a full review as to how it really works, but I just found it interesting and unique and definitely something to talk about.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Strange Tech Devices: Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
Just for fun, and also because I haven't written in a week and am short on time, I thought I would quickly highlight a nifty ThinkGeek item: The Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard.
This item, costing $149.99 plus shipping, is a Bluetooth device, compatible with most computers. It projects a keyboard image onto any flat surface, and works as such. It can also connect to PDAs and Smartphones, and has a battery (rechargeable) that lasts up to 120 minutes.
It's completely a gimmick, and as one without $150 to throw to a virtual keyboard, I cannot give a full review as to how it really works, but I just found it interesting and unique and definitely something to talk about.
It's completely a gimmick, and as one without $150 to throw to a virtual keyboard, I cannot give a full review as to how it really works, but I just found it interesting and unique and definitely something to talk about.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
In Love with a Video Game Nerd (Who is Angry)
If you've spent any time on YouTube searching for video game reviews, you may have at one point encountered James Rolfe, better known as Angry Video Game Nerd. AVGN reviews retro games and game systems (NES is his favorite to review), and generally chooses games that have irked him or that his viewers have reported as extremely difficult, stupid, or plain old annoying.
One thing I have to say is that AVGN is not totally for all audiences. There is a "language barrier" per say, that would be inappropriate for young viewers. AVGN is not afraid to express how he feels about a game, which always leads to colorful vulgarities and references to feces. Very entertaining for the more mature audience, but not something I would show an 8 year old child.
With that being said, I'll post a few videos here if you would like to see AVGN's awesomeness, and after these vids I will talk a little about James.
Now that you have gotten a chance to see AVGN, I'll tell you a bit about James. James Rolfe has a history in film making, participating in the 48 hour film project with some of his friends and making shorts while he was in college. Along with James' AVGN series, he has also begun "Board James," movie reviews, and "You know what's bulls***." One common question about James is about his relationship status (because, let's face it, a vulgar nerd is quite attractive ;) hehe). James is married to a lovely wife, who is quite pleased with his fame from his small, joke-oriented film ventures.
I would recommend visiting James' site, http://www.cinemassacre.com/ and taking a look at some of his work. There is something for everyone when it comes to James' videos, and all of them have a special type of entertainment.
A final example is my favorite episode of Board James, Mr. Bucket.
One thing I have to say is that AVGN is not totally for all audiences. There is a "language barrier" per say, that would be inappropriate for young viewers. AVGN is not afraid to express how he feels about a game, which always leads to colorful vulgarities and references to feces. Very entertaining for the more mature audience, but not something I would show an 8 year old child.
With that being said, I'll post a few videos here if you would like to see AVGN's awesomeness, and after these vids I will talk a little about James.
Now that you have gotten a chance to see AVGN, I'll tell you a bit about James. James Rolfe has a history in film making, participating in the 48 hour film project with some of his friends and making shorts while he was in college. Along with James' AVGN series, he has also begun "Board James," movie reviews, and "You know what's bulls***." One common question about James is about his relationship status (because, let's face it, a vulgar nerd is quite attractive ;) hehe). James is married to a lovely wife, who is quite pleased with his fame from his small, joke-oriented film ventures.
I would recommend visiting James' site, http://www.cinemassacre.com/ and taking a look at some of his work. There is something for everyone when it comes to James' videos, and all of them have a special type of entertainment.
A final example is my favorite episode of Board James, Mr. Bucket.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Computer Prodigy-and no, I don't mean me.
First, I would like to state that this kid... is a genius. And not just with computers. He knows several languages, and while his primary language is not english, he speaks it more fluently than I do.
He is the youngest Microsoft systems engineer.
He wrote a 312 page book about Windows 7. (I think I should read this)
And he is only 9 years old.
I have no way to describe this kid. Within the article there is some great information about how he is just a normal kid with a lot of knowledge, and about how he worships Bill Gates as his hero. (What a smart kid!)
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/17/marco.calasan.macedonia/ This is the article. I suggest it, since it is a very good read.
He is the youngest Microsoft systems engineer.
He wrote a 312 page book about Windows 7. (I think I should read this)
And he is only 9 years old.
I have no way to describe this kid. Within the article there is some great information about how he is just a normal kid with a lot of knowledge, and about how he worships Bill Gates as his hero. (What a smart kid!)
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/17/marco.calasan.macedonia/ This is the article. I suggest it, since it is a very good read.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Pirates, LimeWire's P2P life may be over.
First I would like to apologize for my lengthy absence from this blog-with school, two theatre performances to work on, exams, work... well anyway school is almost over for the summer and I am back-plan on weekly updates from here on out :)
Now, for this week, it has been well known for very long that if you want illegal music downloads, you turn to P2P clients to access this vast database of information. Today we will cover the lawsuit LimeWire has filed against them, and also my opinion on the music downloading industry.
According to CNET.com, LimeWire finally lost in the battle against the RIAA regarding the accessibility of unlicensed, unpaid-for music downloads. The estimate is that 58% of illegal downloads comes from LimeWire, and because of this and their "lack of action" towards stopping the illegalities they are at fault for the downloads. LimeWire could face the RIAA's maximum penalty of $150,000 per illegal transaction, putting the total amount due in fines in the billions.
Now, here is a news video about file sharing and downloading. Whether or not this reflects my opinion, you will soon find out.
And this is a podcast that covers my opinion on LimeWire. The program ITSELF is not illegal, it's what you do with it. Simple as that.
Now. Here is how I feel about file sharing/downloading. This is purely my opinion, and nothing more. We live in a day and age where, whether you like it or not, people require free things to allow for any interest whatsoever in a product or service. It has a lot to do with the economy, but also that we as a society are spoiled by Google and the internet and accessibility. What you are now thinking, however, is that by downloading music illegally, I am hurting the song artists by stealing all their money. The truth behind this is that, #1. Artists do not make much money, sometimes none at all, from their sales. It comes from ticket sales at concerts, merchandising, and publicity. Still you say this is not a good reason? Well #2 is my personal use of music downloads. If there is a new song or artist I am not familiar with, I will turn to LimeWire and download that one song. From there, I may download a few more songs from the artist. On SEVERAL occasions, this has led me to greatly appreciate and enjoy an artist. I then want the better quality, because with LimeWire you will NOT get the sound quality that physical purchasing of music will give you. I have bought 10+ CDs in the last few months, all influenced by artists I heard on the radio and downloaded songs from LimeWire.
I have over 3000 songs on my computer alone, and about half are completely legit. I will not say much about the rest because to be honest it's hard to tell what I downloaded through LimeWire and what I had to purchase from iTunes. Artists I would never have listened to before are in my collection, and like I said, I purchase more music if I can enjoy it for free first.
Make your own opinions, but mine is that LimeWire helps the music industry. Big Time.
Now, for this week, it has been well known for very long that if you want illegal music downloads, you turn to P2P clients to access this vast database of information. Today we will cover the lawsuit LimeWire has filed against them, and also my opinion on the music downloading industry.
According to CNET.com, LimeWire finally lost in the battle against the RIAA regarding the accessibility of unlicensed, unpaid-for music downloads. The estimate is that 58% of illegal downloads comes from LimeWire, and because of this and their "lack of action" towards stopping the illegalities they are at fault for the downloads. LimeWire could face the RIAA's maximum penalty of $150,000 per illegal transaction, putting the total amount due in fines in the billions.
Now, here is a news video about file sharing and downloading. Whether or not this reflects my opinion, you will soon find out.
And this is a podcast that covers my opinion on LimeWire. The program ITSELF is not illegal, it's what you do with it. Simple as that.
Now. Here is how I feel about file sharing/downloading. This is purely my opinion, and nothing more. We live in a day and age where, whether you like it or not, people require free things to allow for any interest whatsoever in a product or service. It has a lot to do with the economy, but also that we as a society are spoiled by Google and the internet and accessibility. What you are now thinking, however, is that by downloading music illegally, I am hurting the song artists by stealing all their money. The truth behind this is that, #1. Artists do not make much money, sometimes none at all, from their sales. It comes from ticket sales at concerts, merchandising, and publicity. Still you say this is not a good reason? Well #2 is my personal use of music downloads. If there is a new song or artist I am not familiar with, I will turn to LimeWire and download that one song. From there, I may download a few more songs from the artist. On SEVERAL occasions, this has led me to greatly appreciate and enjoy an artist. I then want the better quality, because with LimeWire you will NOT get the sound quality that physical purchasing of music will give you. I have bought 10+ CDs in the last few months, all influenced by artists I heard on the radio and downloaded songs from LimeWire.
I have over 3000 songs on my computer alone, and about half are completely legit. I will not say much about the rest because to be honest it's hard to tell what I downloaded through LimeWire and what I had to purchase from iTunes. Artists I would never have listened to before are in my collection, and like I said, I purchase more music if I can enjoy it for free first.
Make your own opinions, but mine is that LimeWire helps the music industry. Big Time.
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