Batman Joker Spoof
I know I know… You’ve all seen this already… still cracks me up.
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Version 2.1.1 is up and running
Well folks, the new site theme is up. It still needs a few tweaks here and there but for the most part, we’re set.
In addition to the new look, I’ll be rolling out a few web projects. I’ll have more information about them soon.
Cheers,
MB
Toonces The Driving Cat
I really wish I was at the SNL writers meeting when they thought up this idea:
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Awesome Packaging
Check out the packaging for the new Samsung Omnia i900:
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“The Web Site Is Down”
I know everyone has probably seen this by now and I also know that I’ve been raving about this for awhile but I HAD to post it again. From a strictly technical stand-point there were some serious errors in troubleshooting. But it you take this video for what it is — a hilarious spoof, I think you’ll see why it cracks me up.
***Strong Language Alert***
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The PVR Project Is Done… Sorta.
Folks,
It’s with great pleasure that I announce the PVR project as complete. It’s taken six months (and the better part of my sanity) but it’s finally done. So what exactly is it?
- Generic case from new egg with 250W PS.
- PCChips Motherboard with 1.5 GHz C7 Processor
- 1 GB RAM
- DVD Burner
- 7-in-1 Flash Media Reader
- Windows XP SP3
- SageTV Media Center 6.3.10
- SageMC (SageTV Plugin)
- NetFlix Video Browser (SageTV Plugin)
- 500 GB Western Digital HD
- Hauppauge PVR 350 Capture Card
- ATI Radeon 7500 Graphics Card
When factoring in time, money, and parts, it comes to around 450 bucks.
So why go this route instead of just buying a Tivo? Good question. I was considering tivo at one point but I didn’t like that the hardware became useless if/when you stopped subscribing to them. With SageTV, you get a host of cool features:
- One flat-rate charge (80-90 bucks) for the program and UNLIMITED TV guide functionality.
- Recorded format is stored in a friendly MPEG2 format for easy burning to DVD.
- Online videos: youtube, google video, discovery channel, etc.
- Third-party plugin support (including an unofficial netflix plugin for watching on-demand movies)
- Recorded format is stored in a friendly MPEG2 format for easy burning to DVD.
- Online videos: youtube, google video, discovery channel, etc.
- Third-party plugin support (including an unofficial netflix plugin for watching on-demand movies)
All n’ all… a pretty good deal.
From a hardware perspective, I’m genuinely surprised with the C7 Processor. It’s not a powerhouse, but as we’re just displaying video (nothing 3D), it works great AND it consumes a ridiculously small amount of power (40-50 watts for the whole system).
So why did it take so damn long to complete? Well, I made a fatal error in purchasing… I got the PVR-350 capture card which advertises TV-out functionality. On the surface, this sounds great, but the problem is that the TV-out feature ONLY supports MPEG2 format. So online flash videos and Netflix wouldn’t show up at all — major bummer. Hence why I bought a really cheap vid card — the ATI 7500 (and by the looks of it, one of the earliest cards to have s-video).
The second hurdle was that the initial ATI 7500 card I was sent was hardcoded for the PAL (international) video standard. As a result, tv-out would flicker and I would only get black & white output. Grr.
After getting that resolved, the THIRD (and hopefully final) hurdle was configuring windows media player for optimal playback of netflix on-demand videos. I found a couple setting tweaks that helped:
After getting that resolved, the THIRD (and hopefully final) hurdle was configuring windows media player for optimal playback of netflix on-demand videos. I found a couple setting tweaks that helped:
- In windows media player navigate to Tools >> Options >> Performance (tab) >> Advanced (button) and enable Direct-X Video Acceleration.
- In Internet Explorer navigate to Tools >> Internet Options >> Settings (under browsing history) >> Move Folder and select a partition that has PLENTY of space.
Well, so I guess that just leaves one question: what’s next? In two words: cable management. I want to make the system look cleaner as a whole and improve the quality of the cables I’m using. But that’s a side issue. At least it’s all working.
If you’ve read this far, I hope these tips helped you. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line. I’ll be happy to offer my “words of wisdom”.
Cheers,
MB
Forums are up!
I’ve finished setting up the site forums again. They’re available here. Feel free to join and contribute.
This time around, I’m going to keep the board topics small (right now there’s just a few). Eventually we’ll expand things out.
Cheers,
MB
Back In Modern Civilization
Greetings Folks,
This past weekend, we went for a family camping trip to Millerton Lake. I’m still a bit sore, groggy, and tired but all n’ all, we had a GREAT time. For those of you who like camping, I’d highly suggest going there — there’s tons of stuff to do and lots of modern conveniences (for rookies like me).
The schedule of events sounds really slim but it was actually pretty full:
FRIDAY NIGHT:
- Travel to campsite.
- Unpack / Setup
- Snack
SATURDAY:
- Miscellaneous tasks / errands (getting more supplies)
- Relaxing out at the Lake Shore all day.
- Dinner and campfire smores.
SUNDAY:
- More miscellaneous tasks..
- Early pack-up and head out.
It was the PERFECT end to a busy week and having the time to “be away from it all” was priceless.
I didn’t take many pictures unfortunately but here’s a view from our camp site:
Camp Site View
Well, time for me to return back to the world of bits and bytes. Cheers!
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Sim Card 101
My beautiful wife Andrea passed along a nifty tech video on sim cards and sim card hacking.
(*sigh) I wish everyone had common sense but since that’s not the case, here’s a lengthy disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for the misuse of any of the content of this video. This includes but is not limited to: techniques, hacks, cracks or acts of piracy. Broadcasts such as these are meant solely for informational and entertainment purposes. Neither the contributors nor any other parties, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of fitness for any other particular purposes, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for consequences of using the information, or represents that its use would not violate federal, state, or local laws. Hacking/Cracking is illegal. DON’T DO IT.
(*phew). Now that I’ve said my piece, here’s the vid:
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