Archive for July, 2005
Shownotes:
Snapturtle PodCast #2 - MP3 (15min 14secs) 6.98MB
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I’ve decided to only supply MP3 files for the time being. If you want to see an AAC version, leave a comment.
July 30th, 2005
NASA-Funded Scientists Discover Tenth Planet and yet it doesn’t seem to be a very popular news story. Pretty interesting to me, I’ve always enjoyed looking up at the stars. When I was much younger we had a telescope powerful enough to see distant stars and planets.
July 29th, 2005
Update 2: Download the 2.0 firmware from Sony.
Update: I’m gaining a lot of traffic to this article. I’m assuming you’re coming here for the PSP 2.0 Update file. Find it here.
The PSP 2.0 firmware was released on July 26th much to my anticipation. After reading reports about the new features, I had no choice but to download it and install right away. Of course, I figured Sony wouldn’t be to thrilled with me installing the firmware on my US PSP. Turns out, they’re now recommending NOT to install it unless you have a Japanese PSP. Great. Too late.
In a nutshell the new features include:
- A web browser.
- Support for wallpaper.
- WPA-PSK added for wireless security.
- AVC codec support.
There are a bunch of other little changes that were included as well, IGN has the full list.
I’ve been playing with the browser quite a bit and I’m impressed. Sure beats surfing from my cell phone which I actually do quite a bit. The only downside with the PSP is it lacks Bluetooth. If the PSP had Bluetooth I could surf the web on the PSP via my cell phone and have a really nice display wherever I go.
The wallpaper feature is also nifty. I was getting a bit tired of the rotating colored backgrounds, one for each month. Currently I’m running a Penny Arcade PSP specific wallpaper. Not bad Tycho. For more PSP wallpapers check out InterfaceLIFT.
Meh, but now with Sony stating not to install the firmware I hope I can install the US version when it’s released. Otherwise, I may have a $250 paper weight in the future. So, if you are contemplating installing the firmware, heed my advice, DON’T DO IT.
July 29th, 2005
So yeah… I made my first podcast.
Shownotes:
- From San Francisco Bay Area, CA
- Welcome to SnapCast #1
- Kauai sound seeing tour @ Beach House
- Fumitaka Anzai from the Podshow Music Network
SnapCast #1 - MP3 (11m 30 secs) 7.9MB
SnapCast #1 - M4A (11m 30 secs) 5.4MB
July 28th, 2005
Interesting to read through the Mobile Game Hall of Fame list. Considering myself a serious portable game fan, I played at least 50% of those games including some from my childhood.
Which reminded me of a portable 2 player electronic baseball game I once had. Unfortunately, I’m at a loss for the name or the brand. The screen was horizontal, I’m guessing about 10 to 12 inches long. Doesn’t sound very portable now but back in the ’80s I took that thing everywhere. Each player had a sort of number pad at the end of the sides, each pad having it’s own cover, probably for protection from wear and tear or to hide one’s key presses during a heated game. The unit was plastic, having colored shades of light brown and dark brown with an orange display.
What was so great about the game was you could actually see the players move around on the field, watch the pitcher throw to home plate, watch runners steal, etc. It wasn’t an LCD but it had quite a few “animations” for it’s era as I recall. I wish I could remember the name of the game as I’d try and buy one for nostalgic reasons.
July 27th, 2005
Let’s clear this up once and for all. The Sims or any various sequel and/or expansion pack, including The Sims 2 does not equal any form of Grand Theft Auto, including hot coffee. You got that Jack Thompson and any other wanna-be misfit or politician who thinks otherwise.
I’m getting quite a few Google refers from people searching for both hot coffee and now this crazy thing called “The Sims 2 should be AO”. Are you people serious? Let’s put this into perspective shall we.
In a high level overview, Grand Theft Auto, of any variety, allows the following actions… senseless killing, car-jacking, simulated sex in various forms, simulated drugs, mafia undertones, gang undertones, driveby shootings, high speed car chases, and causing general mayhem. All of this in a videogame mind you, but one that should never be played by anyone but an adult. In my personal opinion, GTA should be Adults Only from the start because of the extreme violence but alas it wouldn’t have sold as many copies as it has. Hence why the ESRB doesn’t work.
As for The Sims 2, you can perform “woo-hoo” which is considered “having sex” in the game. However, “woo-hoo” translates into extreme french kissing and groping. Unlike the “hot coffee” mini-game for GTA which actually simulates… erm… “sexual acts” (Don’t click the link if you’re easily offended) to put it mildly. Oh, people kiss in The Sims 2. You can have them kiss romantically, harmlessly, or friendly with various other types in between. You also can see “blurry” Sims taking showers, bubble baths, and going potty. Oh NOES! Call Hillary Clinton!
Seriously, The Sims 2 is a damn dollhouse simulation and GTA is pure madness and mayhem with ZERO comparisons. Deal with it people. And for the record, I own and play both games.
July 25th, 2005
Upgraded the photo gallery to the latest version of Gallery, G2 beta 4, code named Flippin’ Sweet. Seems to be a tad faster, although I ran the maintenance tasks which rebuilt all the photo thumbnails boosting the loading speed. That took about 3 hours though… yikes.
I’m slowing adding more photos but lack of time is the main limiting factor right now. And no, it’s not because of me playing World of WarCrack. I quit that game. Seriously.
July 25th, 2005
Lance Armstrong won his final Tour de France, retiring from the sport after winning 7 straight. Wow. This guy is amazing. I remember watching him in the 1992 Olympics with all the hype and he wasn’t able to bring it home. Coming back after having cancer and winning 7 straight Tour’s? Wow.
July 25th, 2005
OB (Owlboy) comes through for the win! Check out the fabulous logo he drew just for me after I asked him why he hadn’t drawn any damn turtles yet.
Thanks buddy! Great work!
July 23rd, 2005
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