Newsmagazine tv troubles, Bush's twin, laptop mods, webcam fun

Still raining, when is it going to stop? If you're cooped up indoors with the weather, here are some links to keep you busy:

• TV newsmagazines are struggling to survive, due to reality TV. Apparently people are more concerned with contrived conflict situations than with real news.
• So it's awful when Saddam Hussein has lookalikes, but funny when George W. Bush does? Actually, it is really funny. Watch the video linked with the story.
• Got an old laptop to play with? Check out these 5 laptop mods.
• I don't really do any webcam stuff, but the Logitech QuickCam Orbit looks like it has some really cool and fun features, including real-time video effects (see the video in the review).
  

Freeware, Koreiran, penny pricing, big blu-ray, wheeee!

Well, it's been raining non-stop today (which is actually probably good for my garden), and work has been horrible this week (long hours on several critical problems); I'm working today, but am taking a couple hours break where I'm not needed.
So, here's some links:

• Here is a huge list of freeware utilities; sure to be something you need on here.
• Iran gets North Korean missiles. Maybe if they just merge, we'll have only one country to consider attacking.
• It actually costs the US Mint 1.4 cents to make a penny. I'm going to go buy a ton of them since their selling them below cost.
• TDK develops a recordable Blu-ray disc that holds 200GB. Better start stocking up on content to record on it.
• Nintendo has renamed the forthcoming "Revolution" console, as the Nintendo Wii (pronounced "we"). Yeah, that's almost as good.
  

Gas by county, easy police catch, new monopoly, secret Jasons, 8-bit memories

Hey, what happened! It went from beautiful this weekend, to cold, windy, and rainy today. I don't mind the rain since I just planted some items in my garden, but this is way too cold!

In other news:

• US Gas Temperature Map, which shows gas prices by county, not by temperature.
• I guess this is one way to lure the dumb criminals out: teen busted trying to steal fake drugs from a display at a police expo.
• You can have a say in the Monopoly: Here and Now edition by voting for landmarks to include.
• A secret society of scientists called the "Jasons" works for the government. Dan Brown to start a book on this once he finds out.
• Did you grow up in the 8-bit age like I did? Try this gamer test to see how well you remember the classics. I'm at 8/16 so far (but I haven't cheated yet):

I played too many games. I got 8/16 on the 8-Bit Gamer test. Take the test!

Summertime and gardening, debit theft, cheap Chinese DVDs, not cheat oil

A huge project installation has been going on all weekend at work, but thankfully, my presence hasn't been required. It's been so beautiful out this weekend, that I've enjoyed being out and getting the first lawn mowing of the season, fertilizing, getting some things planted in the garden (though most I'm still trying to start from seed indoors) , and I put some decorative edging around my garden. (and I spoke too soon, because I just was called from work as I write this.)
But here's some other news, not about me:

• Largest debit card hacking theft could cost customers $500 a piece.
• Movie companies may sell DVDs in cardboard packaging for $1.50 in China to combat piracy. And we pay $15 - 20? Who really is the pirate here?
• Gas prices really aren't that bad when oil could reach $90 a barrel later this year.
  

Googol of Google tools, word wonders, extinction of cash, sleep, robo-chair, religion, gas prices

Here are some items:

• Want to make the most of Google? Wikipedia has a good list of all Google services and tools.
• I didn't see anything too eye-opening here, but here's an article with top ten things that MS Word users should know.
• Cash is finally on the way out... in the UK at least where debit card use has overtaken cash.
• A good night's sleep boosts long term memory.
• The machines are closer to taking over: check out the video of the self-assembling robot chair. I can't imagine how useful that is.
• An interesting demographic view: US maps of religion concentration.
• You think gas prices are bad? How about going to Venezuela, where gas is $0.14/gal? Wait, that's actually much better!
• And also, a good night's sleep boosts long term memory.
  

Review: Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom

It's been a while since a review, so I thought I'd do another. I picked up the book Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom for cheap at a discount book store. It is a fairly short book that takes place at an undetermined, but far off point in the future.

The basic story follows Jules and his relationship with his current girlfriend and college friend. They work in Disney World as part of an "ad hocracy" that tweaks and enhances the Haunted Mansion. The story takes place at a point where essentially all needs are provided, there isn't any money, people can do pretty much anything they want, and everyone tries to earn "Whuffie" (which while it isn't defined, I take it to be credibility, respect, etc. Basically a point system where people all over rate people based on their accomplishments and behavior). Jules is murdered early on in the book, but in this society, death is no big deal. He gets restored from his last backup. People are very integrated with technology (phones, data inputs/outputs are all built into them).

There are a lot of neat ideas, but given the size of the book, maybe there is too much packed in. While some of the futuristic technologies and concepts are pretty straightforward to understand, other things are left to you to figure out, and that is a bit frustrating. (Maybe the book would be better on a second reading.)

I also thought the plot was a bit meandering, where big things would be dropped for while and weren't really resolved to a satisfying end. The main character is hard to like mainly because he gets on a very self-destructing path. The very futuristic setting also made it a bit harder to connect with the characters (I've read other sci-fi that does a lot better job of making relateable characters).

The Disney World setting is kind of fun, though it focuses almost exclusively on the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents. I did like the concept of basically gangs (teams) that take over the management of the rides and exhibits, and they focus completely on bettering the rides.

On the whole, I really can't recommend this book. You might like it if you're really into concept sci-fi or futurism. The Disney setting is fun, but pretty narrowly focused.

Big display, homemade dvr, Google calendar, mousetrap, photocakes

Wow, what a beautiful day here! I got home with enough sunshine left to go for a nice bike ride (a nice chance since I've been working long hours lately). This was my first ride of the year, and yeah, I can tell I'm a little out of shape at it. But, if the weather stays nice I should get back into regular riding form again.

Some good stuff on Make: lately:

• I've got 2 monitors hooked up to my computer (and the coolness outweighs the frivolousness), but this guy went a bit overboard with 12 30 inch monitors hooked up.
• I mentioned Windows Media Center in my last post, but if you are interested in alternatives, you can always build your own DVR.
  
• I gave Google Calendar a try yesterday. Looks like a pretty good online calendar.
• Ever play the game "Mousetrap"? Someone's built a life-size version of it.
• Finally! A way I can add photos to cupcakes and cakes.
  

New PC, leak news, races and speeders, hair art

I received my new PC (pretty quickly, though I had some trouble with UPS), and have been busily going through the frustration of getting it all set up the way I like it and getting my files and accounts moved over (actually, it has been going pretty smoothly). One frustration I hadn't been thinking about: the new PC has no parallel or serial ports, so I can't use my printer or scanner with it (so, that's something new I need to replace. The printer I have is really old, and the scanner was a very cheap one to begin with).

I got Windows XP Media Center Edition with this PC, and I have to say it is pretty slick. You can easily navigate it with the remote, and the interface is very intuitive.

In other news:

• Bush and Cheney reportedly authorized the Plame leak. So when Bush swore to find and punish those responsible, was that the equivalent of OJ searching for the real killers?
• "Malcom" jumps from acting to racing. Part of the aging child actor placement program.
• Oh, the sale is over! But you could have had a driveable replica landspeeder!
• Amazing paintings on human hair. It would cost a fortune to have all of your hairs done, though.
  

DeLay news, Iraq PM, movies online (legally), bbq bad news, classic car

Here are some stories:

• Another ex-DeLay aid pleads guilty, and then mysteriously DeLay to leave re-election race. Could they be connected?
• US and Great Britain want Iraqi Prime Minister out of office. Well, maybe we should invade?
• Major Hollywood studios to sell movie downloads online, but the popcorn will cost a fortune.
• Bad news, men, science is linking barbecue with prostrate cancer.
• Got an extra 1982 Trans Am sitting around that you don't know what to do with? You could turn it into a replica of KITT.
  

Super Mario Troubles, Brain Age, DST, big screen Simpsons

Some items:

• Playing Super Mario Bros. may cause you to face criminal charges.
• For a different type of game, "Brain Age" for the Nintendo DS is released in the US this week. Check out this article on eToyChest for a video of the author getting totally schooled by it.
• Hope you remembered to set your clocks forward for DST. Here's a brief history of Daylight Savings Time.
• The trailer is in theaters now: 'The Simpsons' are coming to the big screen.
  

New PC on the way, KH2 available

Well, I broke down and ordered a new computer today from Dell. Not the first one I customized. I really made an effort to minimize the cost this time, and one thing that helped was I found a 30% off coupon on DealCatcher. Ahh, the Internet... how did we live without you?
Given my hobbies, schooling, and job, I'm fairly literate when it comes to computer stuff (though, I've slipped a bit in my knowledge of the latest components), but I think Dell's site is getting to be very busy and cluttered. I think it could really intimidate someone trying to buy a computer.

I don't know how it slipped my attention but Kingdom Hearts 2 is available in the US now for the PS2. I don't play games nearly the way I used to, but the first Kingdom Hearts was one of my recent favorites, so I picked up the sequel today. It is a weird blend of Disney properties with Final Fantasy properties (a totally unexpected mix of two of my favorites that ends up being the digital entertainment equivalent of a Reese's peanut butter cup). Kingdom Hearts had a great story, great voice acting, and was just plain fun.

Office psas, bad science, microsoftrust, GoogleTV

Here's a few stories for you:

• NBC's "The Office" has it's April Fool's Day PSAs available on their site ("The More You Know" spoofs). Also, take a look around because they have a lot of excellent content for "The Office" fans on the site. (I found that most of the videos required IE and Windows (and site navigation seemed a bit glitchy to me)).
• So how do you know if that science is good? Apply the seven warning signs of bogus science.
• Do Consumers Trust the Microsoft Brand? You can read the article, but I'll spoil it for you: the answer is 'no'.
• More potential Google domination: Is Google TV on the way?
  

Political anti-attack ad?, Dane dialing, UMDs disappearing, fly glasses

Ah, the first thunderstorm of the year (that I remember anyway). My sump pump dreads it, but my lawn appreciates it. Here are some links wash away that last bit of snow:

• Rinck has eyes on Congress - "Our congressman is the smartest person in the district, and we might be the only place in the country that can say that," Rinck said. "But he falls somewhat short on the charisma meter. And it might take a somewhat less intelligent -- although much noisier -- person to get some things done for this district." Oooookay, interesting strategy...
• Denmark has more cel phone subscriptions than inhabitants. Because one phone number per person in your family is just not enough anymore.
• Hope you didn't buy a PSP for the movies. UMD movies might be on the way out.
• Laser used to make glasses for a housefly. Great, why are we improving their eyesight?
  

Abramoff to jail, braintwister, Google's free internet, Sam & Max

Well, it is finally starting to feel like spring here. I am going to have to go down a coat level because it has really warmed up in the last couple days. And here are a few links to keep you warm:

• Abramoff gets close to 6 years. But he's really sorry.
• Here's the way to combine two brainteasers for twice the mental building: Rubik's Sudoku.
• Google patents free wi-fi. And if you are drinking regular water and breathing regular air, you are a sucker. Google Water and Google Air is the way to go.
• I was disappointed a while back when I heard that the latest "Sam & Max" game was going to be cancelled, but received a bit of joy back when I found that Sam & Max comic strips are available at Telltale Games.
  

Some song purchases

For something different today, I thought I would post the last 10 songs I purchased from iTunes (not including the free downloads of the week; by the way, if you have iTunes, be sure to check it out at least once a week to get the one or two free song downloads and occasional free video downloads they offer. Very often the songs are good.). In reverse order:

• "Stars" by Switchfoot. I really enjoyed Switchfoot's The Beautiful Letdown, so I decided to try out this song from their new one, Nothing Is Sound.
• "Burn the Witch (Unkle Remix)" by Queens of the Stone Age. Good version of the same song from Lullabies to Paralyze, and it came bundled with the song's video.
• "Hush" by Deep Purple. Classic, and can be found on The Very Best of Deep Purple.
• "Sour Girl" by Stone Temple Pilots. Can be found on Thank You. I used to pick up almost every STP album until after "Tiny Music" when I stopped paying attention to what they were doing (and I think they were disbanded for a while then).
• "E-Pro" (video) by Beck. I really should buy this whole album (Guero) as all the clips I hear of the songs sound great.
• "Trees" by Marty Casey. Yes, I bought a song by one of the Rockstar INXS contestants. (It's catchy.)
• "Vertigo" (video) by U2. Another album (How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb) that I should look into buying. (Even though I heard the story, "1, 2, 3, 14" still bugs me in this song.)
  
• "Under Pressure" by The Used/My Chemical Romance. This is a good remake of a good song.
• "Wires" by Athlete. This was a free download, but I'm counting it since I really like the song. It's on the album Tourist.
• "We're All To Blame" by Sum41. More social commentary than I'd expect from a Sum41 song.
  

Mr. Yuk, 3d maps, color change concrete, new iPod?, vista delay

Hello! Here's a new selection of links for you:

• Happy Birthday, Mr. Yuk! Man, can't he even smile for his birthday?
• Ah, the next obvious step: people are making 3D images from Google Earth.
• and they might have used the free Callipygian 3D software. Red and blue glasses sold separately.
• Chronos Chromos Concrete is color changing concrete. For all of your many color changing concrete needs.
• Will Apple replace the 60 GB iPod with one that is widescreen and Bluetooth enabled?
• You have more time to prepare! Windows Vista delayed til 2007.
  

Classy aircraft, a vista of Vista, the great fuga, x3, the fourth reich?

Some links for you:

• Airbus A350 with BMW interiors. Check out that awesome faux sky night ceiling.
• A short look at Windows Vista. It has some nice interface changes and additions.
• Can you beat La Fuga (The Escape)? It's a puzzle escape video game come to life.
• The trailer for X-Men 3: The Last Stand has been released and is available at Apple's site.
• Rumsfeld compares leaving Iraq now to giving postwar Germany to the Nazis. I'm sure the newly elected Iraqi officials appreciate the comparison.
  

Port sales, computer virus, top actors, arctic oil, ps3 delay

More snow in the forecast! Aren't we passed this yet? Here are some links to keep you warm:

• Is DP World really planning on selling all US port operations?
• Supercomputer builds a virus. Or that's what the Matrix wants you to believe.
• World's top 50 actors as voted by actors. Wait, Pauly Shore didn't even make the top ten?
• Democrats don't like that Republicans add Alaska oil drilling into budget bill to avoid filibuster. Oh, that sneaky Congress.
• Finally it's official, the Sony PS3 is delayed until November 2006. No word on when the next delay announcement will be released.
  

US dictatorship, beer from the sink, Chef walks, big game screen, light sleeper, and mars maps

What a dreary snowy day. I was hoping we were past all of this snow and ice. But, I will gladly take this over the devastating tornados that hit other parts of the Midwest.
Here's some stuff:

• Sandra Day O'Connor says US risks edging toward dictatorship. Then, she mysteriously disappears.
• Woman gets beer from kitchen faucet. Um, lady? You might have a problem.
• "Chef" quits 'South Park'. Isaac Hayes leaves after citing the show goes too far with religious jokes.
• Quake 3 on a 24 screen setup. I am waiting for the guy that starts playing video games in an IMAX theater.
• The Light Sleeper system is a blanket and pillow that wakes you by lighting up brighter. Works perfect if you sleep with your eyes open.
• Is Google Maps not giving you the vacation planning help you need? Now you can try out Google Mars.
  

Your own lightsaber, secrets, junior hire, font effect, solar storm

What's the deal? We had a couple days in the 50s at the end of last week, now a big blizzard today. I almost had forgotten the joys of scooping my driveway. So what's the rule if March comes in kind of like a lamb, but then turns to a lion part way through?
A few links:

• Build your own lightsaber for cheap. You know you want to.
• States steadily restricting info since 9/11. Well, that is a complete shame because... well, I can't tell you.
• Google hires a 15-year old student. And not for sweeping the halls or bussing the corporate cafeteria.
• The Secret Life of Fonts. Does the font you use influence the professor grading your paper?
• Maybe this blizzard won't be so bad. Worst solar storm in 50 years is on the way.