Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Allstate Sugar Bowl
Hey everyone, just thought I'd let you know I'm going to be heading down to New Orleans (for the first time ever) to the 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl to watch ND beat up on LSU.
I happened to get an invite from a good friend up at ND who had an extra ticket!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I happened to get an invite from a good friend up at ND who had an extra ticket!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Christmas is coming
Well, one more week of class (yes I have a whole week left) until break! Even though I have several tests and assignments due, I don't think the week will be to bad. Maybe it's just because there's light at the end of the tunnel for a full two-week "vacation."
I put vacation in quotes because Christmas can turn out to be as much work trying to fit in every different Christmas celebration for every different part of your family. Not to mention I will have homework and that paperwork for GE isn't filling itself out either.
Oh well, the break will be nice, and I get to see some family I haven't seen in awhile! Hopefully everyone likes what I got them, and hopefully I ace some tests in the next few days...
I put vacation in quotes because Christmas can turn out to be as much work trying to fit in every different Christmas celebration for every different part of your family. Not to mention I will have homework and that paperwork for GE isn't filling itself out either.
Oh well, the break will be nice, and I get to see some family I haven't seen in awhile! Hopefully everyone likes what I got them, and hopefully I ace some tests in the next few days...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
The move to HDTV
Well, I've been looking at HDTVs for about a month now. My interest was spiked by my decision to move into the Xbox 360 realm, a device which utilizes HDTVs. Currently, I have a 27'' tube television that is going to feel very dated when I receive my Xbox 360.
As nice as it'll be to have a 40'' LCD television, there are definitely some issues. The first is that they cost around $1,500 for a decent one. However, the real issue is in becoming obsolete. You see, one major benefit of HDTVs is that they use a cable dubbed HDMI. This single (and small) cable transmits both video and audio. Ah, how nice a single cable would be. However, the tech industry, as it tends to do, makes things more complicated.
You see, HDMI isn't very specific, there are now versions of the cable: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, and the recently released 1.3 . Unfortunately, 1.3 is a fairly large improvement over 1.2a so it's worth waiting for. Of course, this means that I have to wait longer for the HDTVs with 1.3 to come out (early 2007), but then even longer for them to re-enter my price range. Because of course, even though it's not a huge cost to companies to implement this new technology, there will be a hefty premium.
So what's the moral? Well I guess I'll be waiting another few months to get my new TV. In fact, I'll probably just wait until this summer. Oh, and I also need to get a new receiver, unless I want to use the pitiful (probably made so on purpose) built-in speakers that LCDs sport these days.
Well, that's my rant, but I guess by now, maybe I should just be used to such annoyances...
As nice as it'll be to have a 40'' LCD television, there are definitely some issues. The first is that they cost around $1,500 for a decent one. However, the real issue is in becoming obsolete. You see, one major benefit of HDTVs is that they use a cable dubbed HDMI. This single (and small) cable transmits both video and audio. Ah, how nice a single cable would be. However, the tech industry, as it tends to do, makes things more complicated.
You see, HDMI isn't very specific, there are now versions of the cable: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, and the recently released 1.3 . Unfortunately, 1.3 is a fairly large improvement over 1.2a so it's worth waiting for. Of course, this means that I have to wait longer for the HDTVs with 1.3 to come out (early 2007), but then even longer for them to re-enter my price range. Because of course, even though it's not a huge cost to companies to implement this new technology, there will be a hefty premium.
So what's the moral? Well I guess I'll be waiting another few months to get my new TV. In fact, I'll probably just wait until this summer. Oh, and I also need to get a new receiver, unless I want to use the pitiful (probably made so on purpose) built-in speakers that LCDs sport these days.
Well, that's my rant, but I guess by now, maybe I should just be used to such annoyances...
Thursday, December 07, 2006
A little of everything...
Class: My 5 classes are going pretty well so far. In fact, they are almost too easy...that said, the reading load is a bit heavier than I'd like. Overall though, I think it might turn out to be another solid quarter.
Media Center PC: My "Tivo" has been running a few days now, and I must say...I heart it. It's so nice that it automatically records pretty much any show (or entire series) I want, then I can just watch them whenever I want. Pausing live TV is another feature I've taken much more advantage of than I originally thought I would. One thing I haven't been able to test out is the ability to sync to portable video players, but that's because I don't have one.
Microsoft Vista: Vista is the replacement for XP and that's the OS my Tivo is running. I must say, I'm much more impressed than I thought I'd be. There's no 1 overall feature that is killer, but it just feels so much more clean and well thought out than XP. I find myself doing what I need to do and not spending 1/2 that time looking up where to find that feature in help files.
Facebook access: I mentioned previously that companies claim to be able to access private Facebook profiles. Well, after thorough testing, I cannot find a way to do so. I wouldn't be surprised if it's possible, but unless you're applying for the NSA, I wouldn't worry about it.
Current "realistic" dream car: Nissan announced a new version of the Altima Coupe to come out in 08, and I must say it's nice...take a look here.
Jim Gaffigan: The show was awesome! Even though I've heard a lot of the jokes before, he still cracks me up. The only downside was a mix-up in the date of the show resulted in my parents having to give up their tickets to some of my friends, and I wish they could've been there. But it was still fun.
Media Center PC: My "Tivo" has been running a few days now, and I must say...I heart it. It's so nice that it automatically records pretty much any show (or entire series) I want, then I can just watch them whenever I want. Pausing live TV is another feature I've taken much more advantage of than I originally thought I would. One thing I haven't been able to test out is the ability to sync to portable video players, but that's because I don't have one.
Microsoft Vista: Vista is the replacement for XP and that's the OS my Tivo is running. I must say, I'm much more impressed than I thought I'd be. There's no 1 overall feature that is killer, but it just feels so much more clean and well thought out than XP. I find myself doing what I need to do and not spending 1/2 that time looking up where to find that feature in help files.
Facebook access: I mentioned previously that companies claim to be able to access private Facebook profiles. Well, after thorough testing, I cannot find a way to do so. I wouldn't be surprised if it's possible, but unless you're applying for the NSA, I wouldn't worry about it.
Current "realistic" dream car: Nissan announced a new version of the Altima Coupe to come out in 08, and I must say it's nice...take a look here.
Jim Gaffigan: The show was awesome! Even though I've heard a lot of the jokes before, he still cracks me up. The only downside was a mix-up in the date of the show resulted in my parents having to give up their tickets to some of my friends, and I wish they could've been there. But it was still fun.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Modern job seekers beware
In a class called Technical Communication we are focusing right now on employers who research applicants (at least late stage ones) online. Many companies admit looking at Facebook, mySpace, Xanga, and good ol Google.
Fortunately, most people seem aware of the fact that Facebook and mySpace now offer the ability to lock down your account more specifically. However, some companies claim in a CBS article to have the ability to look at private Facebook profiles.
Well, I plan to do some experimenting and see just how accessible private profiles are in Facebook. I'll letcha know if I find anything to be weary of...
Fortunately, most people seem aware of the fact that Facebook and mySpace now offer the ability to lock down your account more specifically. However, some companies claim in a CBS article to have the ability to look at private Facebook profiles.
Well, I plan to do some experimenting and see just how accessible private profiles are in Facebook. I'll letcha know if I find anything to be weary of...
