Comment Use Truecrypt (Score 1) 482
Just place a Truecrypt file in Dropbox. Encrypt the heck out of it, and use that for storage and syncing. It doesn't take much longer, and leaves you with a warm and fuzzy secure feeling
Comment The only reason... (Score 1) 1162
The only reason I own a Blu-ray player at this time is that I upgrade my home theater system about once a decade. Last June my upgrade cycle came due. I bought a 1080p 58" Samsung plasma TV, Blu-ray player and Denon receiver and had a 7.1 surround system professionally installed. I was always anti-Blu-ray, but with such a long upgrade cycle and current prices; I figured the up scaling of DVDs was nice, and if Blu-ray or 3D became more ubiquitous I was prepared. In my last upgrade cycle I had a 53" Sony rear projection TV. I always kicked myself for not getting the HD version for a few hundred more (plasma TVs were like 10-15K then). So this time I spent a little extra to hopefully future-proof myself a little.
I have seen the distance versus screen size chart. I sit about 16' from my screen, yet the chart says I should barely see a difference from 720p. My personal anecdotal experience disagrees, I can see a marked difference. I would never have bought a Blu-ray player if it had not been part of my once a decade or so upgrade process due to the need to buy all new equipment. I just happened to be buying all new equipment at the time.
Though I do have disagree that it has failed to catch on as I see the players and movies everywhere. I remember when DVD was just a few shelves on a couple walls in Blockbuster. Then it got placed next to the movies with the VHS version. Then you could not find the VHS version anymore. I don't see how this process has been a lot different other than streaming is very popular and good enough for most programs. So it does have competition, but adoption rate seems pretty normal. If only that had not dallied so long in the format war with HD-DVD.
Comment Or the converse... (Score 1) 159
As someone who has been getting treated for a couple years at numerous hospitals. I find that commonly I have communication problems with the nurses. For a seemingly uncommon number of them English was not their first language (anecdotal xp of course). Unfortunately, their English skills are lacking. Many times I wonder if they understand what the patient is saying, or if they just nod there head and carry on their routine. I am in no way diminishing their ability, dedication or intellect. Just that their ability to communicate effectively is lacking when using what seems to be a second language to them.
Why Warhammer Online Failed — an Insider Story 235
sinij writes "An EA insider has aired dirty laundry over what went wrong with Warhammer and what could this mean for the upcoming Bioware Star Wars MMORPG. Quoting: 'We shouldn't have released when we did, everyone knows it. The game wasn't done, but EA gave us a deadline and threatened the leaders of Mythic with pink slips. We slipped so many times, it had to go out. We sold more than a million boxes, and only had 300k subs a month later. Going down ever since. It's 'stable' now, but guess what? Even Dark Age and Ultima have more subs than we have. How great is that? Games almost a decade [old] make more money than our biggest project."
The (unverified) insider, who calls himself EA Louse (named after the EA Spouse who brought to light the company's excessive crunchtime practices) says similar trouble is ahead for the development of Star Wars: The Old Republic. EA has not commented yet. God of War creator David Jaffe has criticized the insider for having unrealistic expectations of working in the games industry.
Comment Re:mod parent down (Score 3, Insightful) 527
I'm not looking for insightful comments from a focused group of individuals who have been through this. There's plenty of that. I am asking a group of people in a community I have long lurked/participted in. Of course I understand the responses are going to run the gamut, but I usually find there is a post or two that are insightful that are from members of a community I obviously must feel reflects me in some manner. So your responses were expected along with the many other types of responses that make this community what it is.
Comment Same position different age and time frame (Score 1) 527
I am dying of relapsed Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I'm 32 and will likely die within months. Leaving my beautiful wife and just turning 4-year old daughter. I have dealt with a lot of death in my life and have no problems accepting the reality of my situation. I have planned well for this possibility, and my wife and child are well cared for finanacially and emotionally through a strong network of family and friends.
My question is what do I leave for my 4-year old daughter. She is to little to commit a lot of last moments to memory as some of the older people who have suffered loss are able to. What legacy should I leave for her besides the promise of a secure future and a good education. What did those that lost parents at such a young age find important as they got older. What did you find the most meaningful items/memories/tapes/video, I'm wide open to ideas.
My old blog that I haven't updated in a long time. Probably worth a few final posts to talk about the other rounds of chemo, the bone marrow transplant and subsequent relapse. Anyway that is not important, I just want to know what people found meaningful from a parent that passed when they were young, and may not have a lot of long term memories developed.
Thank you.
One Year Later, USPS Looks Into Gamefly Complaint 183
Last April, we discussed news that video game rental service GameFly had complained to the USPS that a large quantity of their game discs were broken in transit, accusing the postal service of giving preferential treatment to more traditional DVD rental companies like Netflix. Now, just over a year later, an anonymous reader sends word that the USPS has responded with a detailed inquiry into GameFly's situation (PDF). The inquiry's 46 questions (many of which are multi-part) cover just about everything you could imagine concerning GameFly's distribution methods. Most of them are simple, yet painstaking, in a way only government agencies can manage. Here are a few of them:
"What threshold does GameFly consider to be an acceptable loss/theft rate? Please provide the research that determined this rate. ... What is the transportation cost incurred by GameFly to transport its mail from each GameFly distribution center to the postal facility used by that distribution center? ... Please describe the total cost that GameFly would incur if it expanded its distribution network to sixty or one hundred twenty locations. In your answer, please itemize costs separately. ... Does the age of a gaming DVD or the number of times played have more effect on the average life cycle of a gaming DVD?"
Comment Re:Childs Play (Score 3, Insightful) 196
You couldn't be more wrong. As an adult who recently went through 5 rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant. The 5 months overall I spent in the hospital over the last year were a lot better because I had an electronic outlet. For me this was my laptop and smartphone, for a child, it may be video game console. Don't underestimate how important it is to get your mind off the shiatty situation you are in.
There are lots of people and resources to give food, clothing, shelter and money. Of course, there can always be more. But don't denigrate a group simply because they found a unique and beneficial way of helping. Believe me its worth it and is appreciated.
There are lots of people and resources to give food, clothing, shelter and money. Of course, there can always be more. But don't denigrate a group simply because they found a unique and beneficial way of helping. Believe me its worth it and is appreciated.
Sid Meier and the 48-Hour Game 58
MMBK writes "Sid Meier is possibly the most influential game designer ever, having developed the Civilization series, among others. This video documentary looks at his past while he travels to the University of Michigan for the 48-hour game design competition, which was hosted by his son."
Permanent Undersea Homes Soon; Temporary Ones Now 122
MMBK writes "Dennis Chamberland is one of the world's preeminent aquanauts. He's worked with NASA to develop living habitats and underwater plant growth labs, among other cool things. His next goal is establishing the world's first permanent underwater colony. This video gets to the heart of his project, literally and figuratively, as most is shot in his underwater habitat, Atlantica, off the coast of Key Largo, FL. The coolest part might be the moon pool, the room you swim into underwater."
Scientists Say a Dirty Child Is a Healthy Child 331
Researchers from the School of Medicine at the University of California have shown that the more germs a child is exposed to, the better their immune system in later life. Their study found that keeping a child's skin too clean impaired the skin's ability to heal itself. From the article: "'These germs are actually good for us,' said Professor Richard Gallo, who led the research. Common bacterial species, known as staphylococci, which can cause inflammation when under the skin, are 'good bacteria' when on the surface, where they can reduce inflammation."
Comment Re:It'd be nice if they stopped lying. (Score 1) 555
Especially since I called them three times on 11/6 and each time they said there was NO 5gb limit. That the data plan was truly unlimited, and only their MBC devices had the 5gb limit. If it is in fact limited to 5gb, then they are misrepresenting the product not only in their advertising, but to people who call into their call center for clarification.
Computer-Aided ESP Transmits Binary Numbers, Slowly 148
High-C writes "Dr. Christopher James of the University of Southampton has demonstrated what is being termed 'Brain to Brain' communication. In binary, no less. In essence, one person imagined a binary number, which was picked up by an EEG and transmitted via the net to another PC. The received signal was displayed on LEDs flashing at two different frequencies. The receiver's EEG correctly deciphered the string, resulting in a 1:1 transmission of binary data via thought. The throughput isn't great so far, at .14 bits per second, but it's an incredibly geeky proof-of-concept all the same."
Comment Re:Prejudicially including GLBT material as adult (Score 1) 470
Hmm, I thought the linked article was a different one I read this AM. Sorry for the duplicate comment and links to the article.
Comment Prejudicially including GLBT material as adult (Score 5, Insightful) 470
One item that I find very offensive is that Amazon is classifying GLBT material as adult, while not designating similar heterosexual titles as such.
They are a private company and are free to classify items how they wish. Similarly, I can choose where to spend my money. I'll spend my money with a company that celebrates diversity. Not one that is so blatantly prejudicial.
Citations:
http://community.livejournal.com/meta_writer/11992.html (contains growing list of books)
http://markprobst.livejournal.com/15293.html (screen caps and more info)
They are a private company and are free to classify items how they wish. Similarly, I can choose where to spend my money. I'll spend my money with a company that celebrates diversity. Not one that is so blatantly prejudicial.
Citations:
http://community.livejournal.com/meta_writer/11992.html (contains growing list of books)
http://markprobst.livejournal.com/15293.html (screen caps and more info)
