Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Snoop and John Singleton make a videogame/movie..
At the Spike TV Video Game Awards that took place in Los Angeles, host Snoop Dogg and writer/director John Singleton debuted Fear & Respect, a new third-person action game that has obvious visual similarities to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Written and directed by Singleton and starring Snoop Dogg as the character Goldie, the game will take place in South Central LA. The teaser video shown at the Spike Awards showed Goldie and a friend driving around in a car, when all of a sudden they were stopped by a few thugs standing out in the street with guns. These characters proceeded to shoot up Goldie's car, causing much trouble along the way.
After this introductory sequence, brief gameplay clips were shown, revealing that the game will feature over-the-shoulder aiming for its gunplay and nice lighting effects. The footage was too quick to tell exactly how the game will play, but the action was fast-paced and explosive.
At this point, we don't know how similar Fear & Respect will be to Rockstar's LA portion of San Andreas. The visuals in the teaser video showed similar plain-shaded character models and familiar streets-of-LA backgrounds, but we don't know whether Goldie will be able to drive, play in a sandbox gameplay style, etc. Given the concept and visual style, however, we'd expect at least a few similarities. We'll be back with much more on the game from Midway's upcoming Gamer's Day in February, if not sooner.
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For once they are doing the game first then the movie. THis should be tight. Snoop and John Singleton changin the game.. Im from LA so Imma see how they really do. THis is gonna be some shit and I bet there will be more.
Go here for the best screenshots I can find.
Heres the trailer everyones talking about.
Written and directed by Singleton and starring Snoop Dogg as the character Goldie, the game will take place in South Central LA. The teaser video shown at the Spike Awards showed Goldie and a friend driving around in a car, when all of a sudden they were stopped by a few thugs standing out in the street with guns. These characters proceeded to shoot up Goldie's car, causing much trouble along the way.
After this introductory sequence, brief gameplay clips were shown, revealing that the game will feature over-the-shoulder aiming for its gunplay and nice lighting effects. The footage was too quick to tell exactly how the game will play, but the action was fast-paced and explosive.
At this point, we don't know how similar Fear & Respect will be to Rockstar's LA portion of San Andreas. The visuals in the teaser video showed similar plain-shaded character models and familiar streets-of-LA backgrounds, but we don't know whether Goldie will be able to drive, play in a sandbox gameplay style, etc. Given the concept and visual style, however, we'd expect at least a few similarities. We'll be back with much more on the game from Midway's upcoming Gamer's Day in February, if not sooner.
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For once they are doing the game first then the movie. THis should be tight. Snoop and John Singleton changin the game.. Im from LA so Imma see how they really do. THis is gonna be some shit and I bet there will be more.
Go here for the best screenshots I can find.
Heres the trailer everyones talking about.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Hey Microsoft, too little too late SUCKA..
So I guess MS is feeling the threat from Firefox because they decided after all that time to realease IE7 before longhorn (the next version of windows). Basically I DONT GIVE A FUCK.. IE can do my dishes and Id still not go back to it. When they come out with IE7 Id say give it 2 mos and they will find a flaw (or few) and release a service pack for IE7 in about 6 months. Hey Microsoft, too little too late SUCKA.. Just give it up.. you dominate everything else you do why not let the little guys take the browser market a little bit.. no matter what, IE will always be dominant browser cuz people dont know any better. Its not like MS makes money from IE so they should just give it up.. Im much happier since I removed IE from my system.
*sings* "Happy Days Are Here Again."
*sings* "Happy Days Are Here Again."
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Finally rid of IE
Im sure everyone else feels me when i say Ie sucks.. It needs to be banned from all machines.. I have been using firefox since it was on version .92 and let me tell you I will neva go back to any other browser. I have soyware and virus software on my computer and I still got popups.. I decided the only way to rid myself of them is to completely remove IE from my machine.. But I bet your wondering how since its soo incorporated into the OS.. My answer FUCK IT.. REMOVE DAT SHIT ANYWAY.. and heres how.
1. Boot into safe mode
2. open add/remove programs from control panel. If you see IE listed as a normal program remove it.. if not go to next step
3. click the add/remove windows components. Uncheck Internet Explorer and/or MSN Explorer
4. Go to C:\program files\ and remove the internet explorer directory, just delete dat shit.. Windows will cry and say you gonna fuck up some shit if you delete it, just click hell yes..
5. reboot back into normal mode.. you will see IE is gone gone gone..
Now, There are still IE settings and what not in the registry. FUCK IT!! They point to files that arent there any more.. As everyone knows the windows registry you just dont fuck with.. Im sure you can get a reg cleaner program to remove those entrys safely. Enjoy being IE free..
Help put DEEZ NUHUUTTTS on Internet Explorer!
1. Boot into safe mode
2. open add/remove programs from control panel. If you see IE listed as a normal program remove it.. if not go to next step
3. click the add/remove windows components. Uncheck Internet Explorer and/or MSN Explorer
4. Go to C:\program files\ and remove the internet explorer directory, just delete dat shit.. Windows will cry and say you gonna fuck up some shit if you delete it, just click hell yes..
5. reboot back into normal mode.. you will see IE is gone gone gone..
Now, There are still IE settings and what not in the registry. FUCK IT!! They point to files that arent there any more.. As everyone knows the windows registry you just dont fuck with.. Im sure you can get a reg cleaner program to remove those entrys safely. Enjoy being IE free..
Help put DEEZ NUHUUTTTS on Internet Explorer!
Thursday, February 10, 2005
My new toy
Well what can I say. I was shopping for a 4MP snap camera for under 99 bucks.. then low and behold what do I find. I find a nice lil multi device I neva known before.. Ive seen the Panasonic one Laura Croft uses in Tomb Raider, but like I said I was only looking to spend 99 bucks. IT ended up being lil bit more but i think it was more than worth it. Check It. MPEG 4 technology. 4.0 Mega Pixels Hardware Resolution. Fantastic audio function (Voice recorder, video sound track). 7-in-1 Multi-functional Camera (Digital Camcorder / Digital Still Camera / Digital Voice Recorder / Video Camera / PC Cam / Card Reader) http://www.mustek.com/html/prod_camra/dv4500.html
It just came today so lets see how it works over the next few weeks.
It just came today so lets see how it works over the next few weeks.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Fiorina steps down at HP
The company said the change was effective as of Tuesday, when the board made its final decision to ask Fiorina to step down. Robert Wayman, HP's chief financial officer, has been named interim CEO and has been appointed to the board. Patricia Dunn, who has served on the board since 1998, has been named chairman.
Fiorina's severance package is $21.1 million, a sum that includes stock options and a cash payment based on her salary and bonus, said HP spokeswoman Monica Sarkar.
According to the company, the departure stemmed from disagreements over how to execute the company's strategy.
'The differences came down to Carly catalyzing the transformation of HP. She did that in remarkable fashion and executed the merger with Compaq in superior fashion. But looking forward, we think we'll (need a CEO with) hands-on execution,' Dunn said on a conference call.
Dunn said that the board had been discussing Fiorina's performance for several weeks and had sought outside advisers--including longtime counsel Larry Sonsini--to help the directors make their decision. She added that no single event had triggered her departure.
Fiorina acknowledged discord with the company's board.
'While I regret the board and I have differences about how to execute HP's strategy, I respect their decision,' Fiorina said in a statement.
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This sucks.. I may be the only one who feels this way but after all shes done for that company they gonna let her go.. While I do understand the reasons, maybe change is good.. On another note Carly Fiorina is the best looking female CEO I have ever seen.. If I sat next to her on the plane I'd try my luck. Carly is an angel compared to the way my CEO looks.
Keep ya head up Carly we are all proud of you.. Take your $$ and travel the world for a few months.. Its a well deserved vacation.
Fiorina's severance package is $21.1 million, a sum that includes stock options and a cash payment based on her salary and bonus, said HP spokeswoman Monica Sarkar.
According to the company, the departure stemmed from disagreements over how to execute the company's strategy.
'The differences came down to Carly catalyzing the transformation of HP. She did that in remarkable fashion and executed the merger with Compaq in superior fashion. But looking forward, we think we'll (need a CEO with) hands-on execution,' Dunn said on a conference call.
Dunn said that the board had been discussing Fiorina's performance for several weeks and had sought outside advisers--including longtime counsel Larry Sonsini--to help the directors make their decision. She added that no single event had triggered her departure.
Fiorina acknowledged discord with the company's board.
'While I regret the board and I have differences about how to execute HP's strategy, I respect their decision,' Fiorina said in a statement.
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This sucks.. I may be the only one who feels this way but after all shes done for that company they gonna let her go.. While I do understand the reasons, maybe change is good.. On another note Carly Fiorina is the best looking female CEO I have ever seen.. If I sat next to her on the plane I'd try my luck. Carly is an angel compared to the way my CEO looks.
Keep ya head up Carly we are all proud of you.. Take your $$ and travel the world for a few months.. Its a well deserved vacation.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
New device stops cars in their tracks
If a Los Angeles-area scientist has his way, car chases may become as antiquated as horse-mounted cavalry.
James Tatoian, chief executive of Eureka Aerospace in Pasadena, California, is developing a system that uses microwave energy to interfere with microchips inside cars. Once the chip is overloaded with excessive current, the car ceases to function, and will gradually decelerate on its own, he said.
If you put approximately 10 or 15 kilovolts per meter on a target for a few seconds, you should be able to bring it to a halt,' Tatoian said.
Most cars built in the United States since 1982 have some type of on-board microprocessor. Today, the processors are advanced enough to control functions such as fuel injection and GPS equipment.
Eureka Aerospace's High Power Electromagnetic System consists of a series of wires arranged in a 5-foot-by-4-foot rectangular array. The interference is emitted in a conical shape outward from the device.
Tatoian said that while he is not the first to come up with the idea of using electromagnetic interference to stop cars, he has been able to reduce the size and power consumption of such a device so that it would be much more portable.
It is small enough such that it could be mounted onto a helicopter, or onto a law enforcement pursuit vehicle -- an application that interests the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Eureka Aerospace hopes to have a working prototype that the sheriff's department can test by late summer. The National Institute of Justice and the U.S. Marine Corps may also be potential early clients. The company's early tests indicate that the car-stopping device should be functional at a range of 300 feet.
Cmdr. Sid Heal, who evaluates technology for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said that after seeing a preliminary demonstration of the device last year, he was very enthusiastic about its prospects.
'Everybody on the globe is interested in a technology like this,' he said. 'Every law enforcement agency and every military agency in the world will jump on this. I can say that with absolute confidence.'
In current situations where police need to disable a car they are pursuing, sometimes the officers must resort to spike strips, which are designed to puncture the vehicle's tires. Heal said that with an electromagnetic interference system, a potentially dangerous outcome (such as loss of control from flat tires) could be avoided.
"The beautiful part of using the (microwave) energy is that it leaves the suspect in control of the car," he said. "He can steer, he can brake, he just can't accelerate."
Another benefit to such a technology, Heal said, is that it would give officers the ability to pinpoint where they want to stop a car -- on a freeway overpass, for instance -- which would limit a suspect's opportunities for escape.
"It's going to change law enforcement tactics," he said.
If the technology is able to prove worthy, it may also change the behavior of potential criminals. Heal said most people who lead police on car chases have never committed such an act before, and they might think twice if they recall the presence of such a device.
"You would automatically remember you can't get away," he said. "What I think we're going to get is compliance. That would be a breakthrough beyond anything of what anyone has provided in the past."
James Tatoian, chief executive of Eureka Aerospace in Pasadena, California, is developing a system that uses microwave energy to interfere with microchips inside cars. Once the chip is overloaded with excessive current, the car ceases to function, and will gradually decelerate on its own, he said.
If you put approximately 10 or 15 kilovolts per meter on a target for a few seconds, you should be able to bring it to a halt,' Tatoian said.
Most cars built in the United States since 1982 have some type of on-board microprocessor. Today, the processors are advanced enough to control functions such as fuel injection and GPS equipment.
Eureka Aerospace's High Power Electromagnetic System consists of a series of wires arranged in a 5-foot-by-4-foot rectangular array. The interference is emitted in a conical shape outward from the device.
Tatoian said that while he is not the first to come up with the idea of using electromagnetic interference to stop cars, he has been able to reduce the size and power consumption of such a device so that it would be much more portable.
It is small enough such that it could be mounted onto a helicopter, or onto a law enforcement pursuit vehicle -- an application that interests the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Eureka Aerospace hopes to have a working prototype that the sheriff's department can test by late summer. The National Institute of Justice and the U.S. Marine Corps may also be potential early clients. The company's early tests indicate that the car-stopping device should be functional at a range of 300 feet.
Cmdr. Sid Heal, who evaluates technology for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, said that after seeing a preliminary demonstration of the device last year, he was very enthusiastic about its prospects.
'Everybody on the globe is interested in a technology like this,' he said. 'Every law enforcement agency and every military agency in the world will jump on this. I can say that with absolute confidence.'
In current situations where police need to disable a car they are pursuing, sometimes the officers must resort to spike strips, which are designed to puncture the vehicle's tires. Heal said that with an electromagnetic interference system, a potentially dangerous outcome (such as loss of control from flat tires) could be avoided.
"The beautiful part of using the (microwave) energy is that it leaves the suspect in control of the car," he said. "He can steer, he can brake, he just can't accelerate."
Another benefit to such a technology, Heal said, is that it would give officers the ability to pinpoint where they want to stop a car -- on a freeway overpass, for instance -- which would limit a suspect's opportunities for escape.
"It's going to change law enforcement tactics," he said.
If the technology is able to prove worthy, it may also change the behavior of potential criminals. Heal said most people who lead police on car chases have never committed such an act before, and they might think twice if they recall the presence of such a device.
"You would automatically remember you can't get away," he said. "What I think we're going to get is compliance. That would be a breakthrough beyond anything of what anyone has provided in the past."
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Google Is Now A Domain Registrar
Google is now an ICANN-accredited registrar of domain names, providing it with yet another potential line of expansion. The fast-growing search provider is approved to sell names in seven top-level domains (TLDs) including .com, .net, .org, .biz., info, .name and .pro.
Google's registrar status, first noted by LexText, is likely to prompt speculation about its ambitions in web hosting and blogging. Google operates Blogger, the free blog hosting service with a huge user base. Cheap or free domain names could prove useful to Google in the notoriously price-sensitive blog hosting sector, where most bloggers use subdomains (i.e. myblog.bloghost.com) rather than full domain names (www.myblog.com).
Domain sales have also become an important tool in the business hosting market, where domain registrations have surged in the past 18 months, even as prices have dropped steadily. Hosting providers like Hostway, EV1Servers, Interland and Yahoo have used cheap domains to attract hosting customers.
Those four hosting companies are not domain registrars, however. All buy their domains from wholesalers like Tucows, Go Daddy or Melbourne IT, and have a minimum per-domain cost, usually at least $6.50. Rather than viewing domains as a for-profit business, these providers have approached domain sales as a marketing cost. A recent survey by The Web Host Industry Review found that the keyword phrase 'web hosting' was selling for $7.70 per click on Google AdWords and $9.02 on Overture. Not all of those clicks will become new customers, either, making a $1 or $2 loss on a domain sale seem like an affordable way to acquire a customer.
The greatest domain cost efficiencies are available to hosting companies that are also ICANN-accredited registrars, such as 1&1 Internet of Germany, which offers .com domains at $5.99, the lowest non-promotional price of any major hosting provider. As a registrar, Google could have similar flexibility to aggressively price its domain names.
Google's registrar status, first noted by LexText, is likely to prompt speculation about its ambitions in web hosting and blogging. Google operates Blogger, the free blog hosting service with a huge user base. Cheap or free domain names could prove useful to Google in the notoriously price-sensitive blog hosting sector, where most bloggers use subdomains (i.e. myblog.bloghost.com) rather than full domain names (www.myblog.com).
Domain sales have also become an important tool in the business hosting market, where domain registrations have surged in the past 18 months, even as prices have dropped steadily. Hosting providers like Hostway, EV1Servers, Interland and Yahoo have used cheap domains to attract hosting customers.
Those four hosting companies are not domain registrars, however. All buy their domains from wholesalers like Tucows, Go Daddy or Melbourne IT, and have a minimum per-domain cost, usually at least $6.50. Rather than viewing domains as a for-profit business, these providers have approached domain sales as a marketing cost. A recent survey by The Web Host Industry Review found that the keyword phrase 'web hosting' was selling for $7.70 per click on Google AdWords and $9.02 on Overture. Not all of those clicks will become new customers, either, making a $1 or $2 loss on a domain sale seem like an affordable way to acquire a customer.
The greatest domain cost efficiencies are available to hosting companies that are also ICANN-accredited registrars, such as 1&1 Internet of Germany, which offers .com domains at $5.99, the lowest non-promotional price of any major hosting provider. As a registrar, Google could have similar flexibility to aggressively price its domain names.
