The Ripple Effect

2006-02-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

Origami video: the real deal?

So what exactly is the Microsoft Origami? Some say it's Microsoft's answer to the Apple iPod. Others say it is a whole new revolution in the computer world. I would say both. You can't really say it's a tablet PC, because it's so much more than that. You can open maps, play games, text, surf the web, and just about anything else you can think of. This is definately something worth looking at, especially if you are one of those "portable" people. The question is, how much will it cost?

2006-02-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

VoodooPC plans 8TB media PC

When we heard that VoodooPC was planning a media PC with 16 drive bays and a maximum capacity of 8 terabytes, our first thought wasn't, "what are we going to do with all that space?" No, it was, "what, only 8TB?" After all, if you've got 16 bays, why not put a full TB in each one, instead of a measly 500GB (which is the total capacity of Voodoo's current media PC, the Aria, pictured)? Especially if this is going to be a media PC designed for HD? Regardless, Voodoo apparently plans to release the PC around the same time Windows Vista hits the market, which means it'll presumably come with Vista Home Premium, the version that includes the media features currently in Windows XP MCE. At this point, Voodoo says the box will come out later this year, though, of course, Vista delays could slow that timeline. Which is fine with us, since we're going to need a little time to save the $8,000 this bad boy is expected to cost.

2006-02-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

Apple iPod Hi-Fi hands on

We'll admit, there's not a huge amount to say about the Apple iPod Hi-Fi. We'd heard this was coming, and it's caught our attention namely because it's Apple's first true foray into the iPod accessories market, along with their new leather iPod cases. We did get a good listen in some of the rooms Apple set up on campus to demo the sound in a "real world" environment (our fav was the teenager's space, replete with dirty laundry strewn about), and yup, it sounds pretty good. You know how we wish it was, well, a little less iPod-centric for being a regular old piece of consumer electronics and all, but hey, you know how they play the game. So how's the thing feel? Well, let's be straight up, the Hi-Fi is heavy. Like, way too heavy to want to carry with you to the cabana or the beach, as they described you might despite its alternate six D-cell power source.

2006-02-27T19:19:00.000-08:00

"New Video iPod" FAKE!

The supposed new video iPod has been revealed as a fake. Simple Photoshop and photography were to blame for the hoax. Although the picture was quite believable, I'm surprised it wasn't uncovered as a fake earlier. After viewing this clip, you will see how easy it was to make.

http://web.mac.com/christianwedlock/iWeb/Christian/fake.mov

2006-02-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

Report: Sony admits PS3 delay possible

Issues with mass production of Blu-ray drives could be to blame if spring system launch is pushed back to fall.

In recent weeks, speculation that Sony would not make its previously announced spring 2006 release date for the PlayStation 3 has grown after a Merrill Lynch report predicted the new console would be pushed back until the end of the year, or perhaps later. Japanese site Sankei Web is reporting that Sony has acknowledged the possibility of a delay in the system, and that such a delay would be due to problems with the mass production of the console's built-in Blu-ray drive.

A Sony spokesperson is quoted in the article as saying, "The highest quality picture is vital to the PS3. There is a possibility of delay [to the launch] if delivery of parts is delayed."

The article suggests that if Sony does delay the system, it would put the launch off until after October in order to hit the busy holiday season. It also quotes Enterbrain president Hiokazu Hamamura as saying that if Sony hasn't started taking orders for the system by now, it would be difficult for the company to launch the PS3 in May.

2006-02-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

JVC CU-VD10 Everio Share Station enables direct DVD burning

Using a hard drive-based camcorder like the JVC Everio is great if you're willing to offload your video to your PC periodically and burn it to discs. But if you don't want to deal with that -- or you're on the road without a laptop -- JVC has come up with a simpler solution in the form of the Everio Share Station, a dock with a built-in DVD burner that seems to have been inspired by the printing docks Kodak makes for its Easy Share cameras. The $200 Share Station connects to Everio G-series camcorders via USB, and allows one-button burning of videos to DVDs. It can also double as an external DVD burner for a PC.

2006-02-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

Sony Stops PSP Keyboard

February 27, 2006 - The PSP community was shocked (not really) by Logic 3's announcement that their highly anticipated PSP keyboard accessory has been cancelled. According to Logic 3, Sony was unwilling to provide command protocols necessary for the keyboard to function.

Sony has not commented as to why the company would not like to see a keyboard peripheral developed, however, the cancellation notice from Logic 3 is the final addition to a lengthy and often delayed development process of the peripheral. Some speculate that Sony will soon release their own first-party keyboard for the PSP, while others pessimistically suggest that Sony does not care to heed overwhelming consumer demand for a PSP keyboard and will do nothing.

2006-02-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

Hacker or Cracker?

A lot of people seem to confuse these two computer entities. I decided I would clear up the difference between each. In the "underground" computer world there are three different types of players. There are black hat hackers, white hat hackers, and grey hat hackers.

A black hat hacker is more commonly known in the computer world as a cracker. They are the assholes that fuck everything up for everyone else. If it wasn't for these dick heads, we wouldn't need anti-virus, firewall, or any other kind of computer security issues. They manipulate systems and computers for their own personal gain. In layman's terms they are online criminals.

For a full definition and description on "black hatters" visit this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_hat_hacker

The next hacker is the white hat hacker. These are the good guys for lack of better words. They are usually on the other end of computer security. Take the opposite of a "black hatter" and you have these guys. They are the ethical hackers who hack to gain knowledge and satisfy their curios nature. These are the IT system administrators etc. In general a "white hatter" is working to preserve the integrity of the internet as a whole.

For a full definition and description on "white hatters" visit this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Hat

The final hacker is the "grey hat hacker". These are a hybrid of the black hat and white hat hacker. They sometimes act illegaly, but usual not for personal gain. People that break into a system without doing any harm are classified as grey hats. While breaking into a system is illegal, it was done only for the purpose of saying they did it. Pirating movies would be considered a grey hat activity. It is illegal, but no harm is being done.

For a full definition and description on "grey hatters" visit this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_hat

So next time you hear about a "hacker" uploading viruses or taking advantage of a security flaw.... don't be so quick to judge all computer hackers. Its the shit dick crackers that seem to ruin it for everyone. You can thank the white hat hackers for things like Linux, p2p, and increased computer security. Just remember not all hackers are the same and the majority of them are the good guys.

2006-02-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

I've been getting some requests for good movies, software, etc.. to "buy" lately so I thought I would post 5 items that are worth getting.

#1 "The Boondock Saints" -- If you don't own/ haven't seen this movie you are missing out. It is the shit.

#2 CloneDVD/ AnyDVD -- The Cadillac in burning movies you have "bought". AnyDVD runs in the background and instantly decrypts movie DRM. CloneDVD works hand in hand with AnyDVD and is the most user friendly... even over Nero.

#3 "Hackers"-- a classic movie of teens and computers. A great anti-authority themed movie. Plus getting to see all the old school computers is pretty cool.... oh yeah Angelina Jolie is a lead role. w00t!!

#4 Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5 -- One of the easiest to use video editing softwares around. Whether you are into creating low budget films or want to cut off those annoying tags in the beginning of downloaded movies, Adobe Premiere is the ish.

#5 "Diggnation iTunes Vidcast" -- Two guys drinking beer and talking about tech news. What could be better.

2006-02-06T20:46:00.000-08:00

Well football season has come and gone and I have found out that, any team I want to win gets screwed, either by the refs or other bullshit. Case one, I wanted Notre Dame to beat USC in the regular season. Matt Leinart conveniently fumbles the ball out of bounds and the clock is stopped and then Reggie Bush pushed him into the endzone on the next play. Then I wanted USC to beat Texas. Vince Young’s knee was down on the touchdown where he lateralled the ball. Final case, Seahawks were the ref’s bitch in the Superbowl and every time they started to get something going…. the zebras had to crack the whip. How in the blue hell does Hasselbeck get called for an illegal block when he is making the tackle? From now on I am going to bet on the team that I hate so I will atleast make money. “A rope, a tree, let’s hang the referee…. a shotgun, a shell, let’s blow his ass to hell!”