Ice 9

thats love thats life

2007-03-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Warning

dogs fucking

funny

with a twist

owned

2007-02-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

Interesting site

turn the volume down before listening

http://you.justgotowned.com/

i guess if you have time and money .....you too can create a site

More BSG toys oh my

2007-02-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

anyone who knows me knows i love BSG - battlestar galactica

i just got this link from a friend (thx Lyla)

More toys good!

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20011142,00.html

revenge on the annoying

2007-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

I found this quite funny

thanks emma

If you are sitting next to someone who irritates
you on a plane, train or
bus ...

1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case.

2. Remove your laptop.

3. Boot it.

4. Make sure the guy who won't leave you alone can
see the screen.

5. Close your eyes and tilt your head up to the
sky.

6. Then hit this link:
http://www.thecleverest.com/countdown.swf

Dragon bag

2007-01-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

Very cool dragon bag

now can it breath fire on people?

more intel

http://www.hemmy.net/2006/06/11/cool-dragon-bag/

300 and transformers

2006-12-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

Two new previws are out.

First let me start you off with the Transformers movie

pretty cool teaser

http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2007/STUVWXYZ/Transformers/trailer.php

Now ifyou liked that check out 300
This is the one film I can't wait to see ...based on Frank Millers mini series 300 (comics)

when you enter the site
click on media
trailers
then theatrical trailer
enjoy
http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/

all i gotta say is AHHHHHH

2006-12-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

Watch this vid...its not sick, or grose at all ....

but when you watch it you will get the heebee Geebeezz

Dam you Mark!

http://www.dailymotion.com/visited/search/ufc/video/x5wtg_ufc-kick-only

Wii and PS3

2006-11-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

A funnly look at the WII vrs the PS3

done in the style of the MAC and PC
(thx Mark)

Sony Ps3 vs Nintendo wii
Uploaded by kiflex

http://www.dailymotion.com/cluster/ads/video/xalx2_sony-ps3-vs-nintendo-wii

here we go again - Florida Diebold machines

2006-11-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

This info is from the follwoing site (thanks for the intel - friend who want s to remain anonymous)
http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/30/florida-diebold-machines-help-you-pick-the-right-candidate/

Apparently Diebold's problems aren't limited to Maryland, Georgia or Alaska -- what a shocker. Down in the Sunshine State, during a week of early voting before next week's nationwide midterm election, certain Diebold machines have been registering some votes for Democrats as selections for the Republican candidate. For instance, Gary Rudolf, a voter at a polling site near Ft. Lauderdale, tried to vote for gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis (D); however, when the Diebold machine gave him the final review screen, it showed his vote was about to be cast for Charlie Crist (R). The problem took three tries to get resolved with the help of a local poll worker. Mary Cooney, a Broward County Supervisor of Elections spokeswoman, informed The Miami Herald that it's "not uncommon for screens on heavily used machines to slip out of sync, making votes register incorrectly. Poll workers are trained to recalibrate them on the spot -- essentially, to realign the video screen with the electronics inside. The 15-step process is outlined in the poll-workers manual." Huh? How exactly does a computer -- one that is being used heavily for one day a year, and not a $100 PDA -- "slip out of sync" ? Further, no one in Broward County is even sure how large of a problem this is "because there's no process for poll workers to quickly report minor issues, and no central database of machine problems." Is it any wonder that major candidates are urging voters to vote the analog old-fashioned way?

Furthermore

if you plan to climb Everest
think again!

Chinese Snipers may kill you
no joke

here is he scoop
There is no excuse, China: Nangpa La VIDEO shows border guards sharpshoot refugees

At first they said they didn't know. "I've seen the reports about this, but I've no knowledge of the specific situation," Liu Jianchao, a ministry spokesman, told a news conference in Beijing about the shootings at Nangpa La.

That's when the pictures showed up.

Only hours later, China admitted. But now they claimed self-defense. A Xinhua report said that the people trying to cross the border attacked the soldiers, who were then "forced to defend themselves."

Fear of monks and a child

Not a chance, reported Romanian climber Sergiu Matei. ”The Chinese militias were hunting Tibetans onto the glacier...shooting them like rats, dogs, rabbits - you name it.” And Sergiu has video to prove it.
Click to watch video at www.protv.ro

Taipei Times wrote 2 years back about a China/Tibet incident, "the cowardice of the Communists is apparent. How truly timid and insecure they are to fear monks and a child."

The Nangpa La refugees were mostly kids led by a young nun who was shot dead and a number of young adults. Out of the group of 70 people, 40 escaped but 30, including a large number of children still remain unaccounted for.

The video clearly depicts that the Tibetans had their backs to the soldiers, were unarmed, and offered no resistance. The nun who died, Kelsang Namtso, appears to have been shot in the back. During the shooting, a mountaineer in the cameraman’s group can be heard saying: "They are shooting them like dogs."

more at this site

http://www.mounteverest.net/news.php?news=15183

World of Cobert Craft

2006-09-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

I know i have been away a while, but was busy with work and gaming

here is a nifty new game that rides the coattails of world of warcraft

Its Stephen Colbert's World of ColbertCraft

http://www.worldofcolbertcraft.com/

Great japanese tv

2006-08-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

You know the japanese and chinese have some great shows.
No rules , any show ill go!

Here is one where if you cant say the twister properly a leather strap dings you in the nuts.
http://www.glumbert.com/media/tonguetwister.html

why not make a show that if we can make you laugh , we send in a few thugs to beat your ass......wait its been done already
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_6N7jcJhByQ&mode=related&search=

hmm how about the same thing except english lessons....no they did that too

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JNOJ6SaC_fo&mode=related&search=

I guess the big question is why does Patty keep sending me these clips and how does she hear about them (Patty is a co worker)

BEEEEER Fest

2006-08-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

i dont know how i never heard of this film...
but here is a preview for it

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/beerfest/trailer/

other great films in Sept ish

Borat
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/borat/trailer/

and

School For Scoundrels (pointed out to me by Evan)
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/schoolforscoundrels/trailer2/

MANWASH

2006-08-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

revolutionary male grooming service from sweden

nuff said

thanks MiVi

Somthing new - blow up that G4

2006-07-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

So people send this guy money to buy a G5 and to Blow up his G4

ok ok

I want you to send me 15k to pay my studen loans of and i will kill my bank manager...hehe well maybe not

Thanks for the intel Evan

Wonder woman banned from E3

2006-06-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

Dam whats the world coming to

Wonder woman got kicked out of E3

watch here

thx for the link Patty-0

Family Guy vs American Dad

2006-06-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

from Patty-o to me to you

got this link today
http://www.americandadvsfamilyguy.com/

WTF japanese game

2006-05-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

was at E3 , but can talk about that another time

wtf is this game about and why did Pushpa (<-- friend from work)know about it

Battlestar Galactica Prequel on at Sci Fi

2006-04-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

Battlestar is expanding....it seems the heads at sci fi realized that BSG is a great series and they could cash in on spin offs

this one will be called Caprica and will take place before the cylon battles

More info just in:

'CAPRICA'
From executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick ('Battlestar Galactica'), writer Remi Aubuchon ('24') and NBC Universal Television Studio, this new series is set over a half a century before the events that play out in 'Battlestar Galactica.' The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own, but where high-technology has changed the lives of virtually everyone for the better. But a startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot - a Cylon. Following the lives of two families, the Graystones and the Adamas (the family of William Adama, who will one day become the commander of the 'Battlestar Galactica') 'Caprica' weaves corporate intrigue, techno-action and sexual politics into television's first science fiction family saga.

more here

Easter Bunny hates you

2006-04-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

another great vid...this one rocks....its all about the easter bunny and what he does the rest of the year

thanks Evan for another great vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPb0po2jzfg

Winnibego man

2006-04-20T11:03:00.000-07:00

Got this nice piece of entertainment from Evan.
Thanks

Check this guy out, can you imagine working for this guy holy shit
http://www.newstoday.com/_img/ntbimages/winnebago_man.mov

Aydes helps you loose weight??

2006-04-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

check this 1970s commercial, thanks for the lntel Pushpa

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vfOQ3O4kD3I

The Simpsons Movie

2006-04-05T11:07:00.000-07:00

Well looks like they are going to create a Simpsons movie...after years of waiting.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/thesimpsonsmovie/teaser/

i am not really sure I will go see it in the threatre....nothing beckons me to. DL it or rent it I would say

Thanks for the intel MiVi

FCC Chief: AT&T Can Limit Net Bandwidth

2006-03-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

i usually dont post many political stories here
but a friend from work (Ryan thx man)sent me this story.

I cant believe they will allow the telcos to do this...
its totally a new money making bullshit idea.

Anyhoo read on
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FCC Chief: AT&T Can Limit Net Bandwidth

FCC Chief Kevin Martin yesterday gave his support to AT&T and other telcos who want to be able to limit bandwidth to sites like Google, unless those sites pay extortion fees. Martin made it clear in a speech yesterday that he supports such a a "tiered" Internet.

Martin told attendees at the TelecomNext show that telcos should be allowed to charge web sites whatever they want if those sites want adequate bandwidth.

He threw in his lot with AT&T, Verizon, and the other telcos, who are no doubt salivating at the prospect at charging whatever the market can bear.

He did throw a bone to those who favor so-called "net neutrality" -- the idea that telcos and other ISPs should not be allowed to limit services or bandwidth, or charge sites extra fees. He said that the FCC "has the authority necessary" to enforce network neutrality violations. He added that it had done so already, when it stepped in to stop an ISP from blocking Vonage VoIP service.

But Martin's interpretation of "net neutrality" is far too narrow, and almost besides the point. By siding with telcos who want to be able to offer adequate bandwidth to sites that pay up, and to limit bandwidth to sites that don't, he'll help kill off new sites that can't afford to fork over the money.

That could help end Internet and network innovation, and we simply can't afford that.

Article from Networking pipline

MTV.ca Overdrive

2006-03-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

get a sneak peak at the overdrive player on MTV.ca

take a look

Battlestar Galactica S2 EP 20

2006-03-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

For those that have seen this great show.
This episode will blow you away even more so that the final of last season

i love this show...

spoiler>>>>>>.

Baltar: How did you find us?

Doral: Oh, it was quite by accident,
actually. We were over a light
year away from here when we
detected the radiation signature
of a nuclear detonation.

Baltar: Very well. On behalf of the
people of the twelve colonies...
I surrender.

OUTSIDE STREET

Tyrol: What do you want to do now,
Captain?

Kara: The same thing we always do –-
fight 'em until we can't.

Grandma in a wheelchair shooting

2006-03-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

well you know, i used to like driving through the countryside, going to flea markets ....this video has made me more cautious of the country folk

Watch now

thanks Michelle

in the Olympic spirit - Curling and Heavy Metal

2006-02-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

got this from Adina..thanks!

What would happen if curlingand Heavy Metal where to mix...well now we know

California Overtime Lawsuits Expanding to EB Games / Gamespot

2006-02-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

Found this recently

it seems this is now getting serious

Adding to the overtime lawsuits dotting California's legal landscape, EB Games - also known as Gamespot - is now on the radar. It seems that LA county managers at the video game retailer may not have been paid the overtime due them under California law.

Managers and assistant managers are often entitled to overtime pay. If you don’t earn at least twice the minimum wage, your employer may have to pay you overtime. Or if you do a lot of the same work as hourly employees, you may be owed overtime pay.

Some employers try to claim that management employees aren’t entitled to overtime pay. But employers don’t decide who is entitled to overtime – the law decides. Both federal and California laws define “manager” and “salaried employee.” If your duties don’t meet the strict legal definitions, you may be entitled to overtime pay.

California Overtime Laws

California sets a higher standard than the federal government, and has some of the most stringent worker protection laws in the country. While federal law still applies, California law adds more:

• If you work more than 12 hours a day, you get paid twice your regular rate. For example, if you regularly get $10.00 an hour, you would get paid $10.00 for the first eight hours, then $15.00 an hour for work over eight hours (the next four hours) then $20.00 an hour for anything over 12 hours.

• If you work more than six days in a row, California law requires your employer to pay your hourly wage, plus 50 percent for overtime.

Multiple allegations, class action suits pending

Allegations of overtime pay abuse have been raised against companies like Home Depot, Lowes, RadioShack, Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Walgreens, Sams Club and Starbucks, to name a few.

With so many employers facing legal action, it raises a simple question

Fear of girls

2006-02-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

Such a good video and so funny

two higher lvl of existance d&d players and thier life story

Watch now

lost on a beach

2006-01-29T03:12:00.000-08:00

have been on vacation for a while
a nice place in Thailand mainly

here is a pic

doing some diving this week then off to taiwan

cheers

BSG Rocks

2006-01-09T13:32:00.000-08:00

Ep 2 11

Rocked

Spoilers warning
>
>
>
>
More questions

-So what if they call at the same time? Will they get a busy signal? (Ha)

-Is the resurection ship only one model of cylon or all?

-Why not hire Tom Zarek to do the job?

Oh the mass pandimonia

Microsoft CES update

2006-01-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

Well this years CES show is under way and Microsoft has made some big announcements

Here are a few, link below for more:

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 4, 2006 — Highlighting key consumer products such as Xbox 360™ and offering the first broad demonstration of the consumer features of Windows Vista™, Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates showed how the company is delivering on its vision for a digital lifestyle where devices, services and applications work together seamlessly. In his 10th annual keynote address at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Gates demonstrated how Microsoft® Windows Vista, Xbox 360, new mobile devices and the emerging wave of software-based services will deliver more connected and richly personalized experiences for consumers.

In his keynote, Gates said that the consumer electronics industry is poised to deliver a quantum leap forward in rich, interactive, high-definition experiences. “Technology has revolutionized how we listen to music, watch TV, play games, communicate, and manage and share personal information,” he said. “In the years ahead, further exciting innovations will unify the software, hardware and services in people’s lives, offering them even richer, more engaging and deeply connected experiences.”

Windows Vista Unveiled

In the first broad demonstration of Windows Vista for consumers, Gates showed how Microsoft’s next-generation operating system, due later this year, will offer customers powerful new advances in security, search capability and digital entertainment. He highlighted how Windows Vista will bring clarity to customers’ digital world and help them easily accomplish everyday tasks, instantly find what they want, enjoy the latest in entertainment, keep their personal information safe, and stay connected at home or on the go.

He highlighted some of the most compelling consumer-oriented features of Windows Vista, including a sleek user interface, richer multitasking experiences and deep integration of search throughout the operating system. He also showed the new Windows® Photo Gallery, which will make managing and working with digital photos easier.

He showcased the most advanced Windows games platform for everyone from casual players to hard-core gamers, including stunning graphics capabilities, by premiering Microsoft Games Studios’ forthcoming “Flight Simulator X,” the most realistic flight simulator in the franchise’s 25-year history.

Gates was joined onstage by MTV Networks’ Music Group President Van Toffler to showcase the forthcoming URGE digital music service, which is designed to bring people’s emotional connections with music to the forefront of the digital entertainment experience. URGE will give users of Windows Media® Player 11 instant access to more than 2 million songs from major and independent labels as well as exclusive MTV Networks programming and content.

Demonstrating the Windows Media Center capabilities of Windows Vista, Gates cited growing momentum around the platform by announcing that more than 6.5 million Windows XP Media Center Edition-based PCs have been sold from more than 130 computer manufacturers worldwide.

In another sign of momentum for Windows XP Media Center 2005, Microsoft announced that Comedy Central has joined a group of 110 Online Spotlight content partners and that forthcoming Media Center PCs will include CableCARD support for high-definition programming without a set-top box. This will allow users to plug their digital cable signal directly into their PC to watch and record premium cable content, including high-definition programming, without a set-top box.

Xbox 360 Leads the Way in High-Definition Entertainment

Just a month after the global launch of the new Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, Gates discussed the product’s strong momentum in delivering high-definition hardware, games and digital entertainment experiences. Xbox 360 is on track to be the fastest-selling video game console ever, forecast to ship between 4.5 million and 5.5 million units worldwide by the end of June 2006.

Gates noted that Xbox 360 has also become a powerful application for high-definition television, adding that nine out of 10 Xbox 360 owners currently own or intend to purchase a high-definition television set.* He announced that more than 50 new high-definition Xbox 360™ games will be available by June 2006.

Building on Xbox 360 leadership in high-definition experiences, the company announced plans to deliver a new Xbox 360 external HD DVD drive in 2006. The new drive will offer millions of Xbox 360 owners the ability to easily enjoy HD DVD movies and will provide consumers with even more choices for experiencing high-definition content, in either physical or digital form.

Using Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live® service today, consumers are already able to access high-definition entertainment such as Xbox Live Arcade titles, game demos and high-definition movie trailers. Consumers can also use their Xbox 360 system to access high-definition television and movies from their Windows XP-based Media Center PC.

Gates’ keynote also showcased the momentum behind Xbox Live, announcing that more than half of all Xbox 360 owners are already connected to the online games and entertainment service, which boasts a worldwide community of more than 2 million members. He demonstrated Electronic Arts Inc.’s forthcoming EA SPORTS™ “Fight Night Round 3,” scheduled to be available in February 2006, and announced that a free, playable high-definition demo of the game is now available at the Xbox Live Marketplace, a one-stop digital download center where consumers can access high-definition games, music and movie content from leading industry partners.

Staying Connected With Powerful Windows Mobile-Based Devices

Gates highlighted the Treo 700w, an innovative new device that brings Palm Inc.’s celebrated ease of use to the Windows Mobile® platform. The Treo 700w, available exclusively on the Verizon Wireless network, combines a great mobile phone with easy access to wireless e-mail and business applications, giving professionals more ways to stay connected while on the go. The Treo 700w is available at retail Jan. 5.

The keynote also included a demonstration of how future technologies will transform the way people manage information in the office or on the go, communicate with co-workers in richer and more immersive ways, and be more productive wherever they are.

Continuing his keynote, Gates showcased Microsoft’s advancements in mobile entertainment by unveiling next-generation Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers from Toshiba Corp., Tatung Co. and LG Electronics. The new devices, scheduled to be available this year, will feature extensive battery life, support for new high-resolution and widescreen (16:9) displays, direct audio/video recording, gaming, FM tuners and direct connections to digital cameras.

New Content to Energize the Digital Lifestyle

Gates’ keynote address highlighted a number of new alliances that use Microsoft software to provide broader and richer content to consumers. He showed Starz Entertainment Group’s new Vongo video download service, which offers more choices and great experiences for people using Windows Mobile-based devices. Vongo subscribers will enjoy unlimited access to more than 1,000 first-run movies and video selections as well as the streaming Starz TV channel.

Microsoft announced a broad agreement with DIRECTV Inc. that will open up new ways for consumers to enjoy their digital media in the networked home and on portable devices. Microsoft and DIRECTV will work together to enable digital content to flow between Windows-based PCs, DIRECTV devices, PlaysForSure™-based portable media devices and Xbox 360.

It was also announced that Microsoft and British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), the leading pay-TV provider in the U.K. and Ireland, plans to create a Windows Media Center version of Sky’s forthcoming broadband content service, Sky by broadband. The service will enable millions of Sky TV customers to access video content from their PC, including hundreds of movies and sports clips.

Windows Live Services Deliver Rich, Seamless Experiences

In the area of software services, Gates previewed new Windows Live™ offerings, designed to bring together relationships, information and interests that are important to people on PCs and a wide range of devices. He unveiled two new telephones from Royal Philips Electronics and Uniden America Corp., designed to work with the voice communications capabilities in the upcoming Windows Live Messenger, the soon-to-be-released successor to MSN® Messenger, which has more than 200 million active accounts around the world. The new phones will allow consumers to make calls from a cordless handset connected to both the Windows Live Messenger service and public telephone networks. The Philips VOIP433 Dual Phone will debut in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America in 2006. The Uniden WIN 1200 Digital Cordless Phone will offer people another option for making calls over the Internet and will be available in North America in spring 2006.

Gates also previewed forthcoming services for Windows Live and Windows Vista that will help people find and manage their entertainment on the Windows-based Media Center PC or Microsoft TV IPTV Edition-powered set-top box from almost anywhere in the world. TV gadgets on Live.com will enable people to find, manage and share personalized TV recommendations as well as remotely schedule recordings on their Media Center PCs.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/ces/materials.mspx

Mexican Puppets

2006-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

Love this commercial Pacman stars in his own theatre adaptation.
watch it here

Aliens among us?!

2005-12-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

Mark sent this to me......I dont know I think its the US fucking with the Chinese
then again..

Half of the entire Chinese population believes in UFOs.

Hundreds of scientists and engineers conduct thorough studies of the unidentified phenomenon. According to Chinese ufologists, aliens live among humans. Ugologists also claim that recently aliens started to show more interest in China. Most recent UFO was spotted in Nanking, China.

According to a Chinese pilot, he noticed a flickering white and blue object, which hovered right beside the aircraft just as he was about to land. The pilot observed how an oval-shaped flying object was escorting the airplane. Then suddenly, the object made a rapid turn and disappeared behind the clouds.

read more

First clone dog?

2005-12-29T06:58:00.000-08:00

A South Korean investigation panel looking into the works of a disgraced scientist said Thursday it could not yet reach a conclusion on whether his team produced the world's first cloned dog.

Full Story

Merry Xmas

2005-12-28T13:25:00.000-08:00

So I came across this video of a Guy in a gorrila suit dancing.....its long and kind of funny...funny thing...his roomate is working on the computer during all this.

ok want some more wierd Japanese game show fun>?

direct form Patty and Evan:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-123322263707848424

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5250971845178619832&q=musume+sapp

Conspiracy for the holidays

2005-12-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

Watch video now

Thi is a full lenght video so sit back and watch.

It covers the Kenndy shooting and then goes into talking about the Bush Family.

Many of these stories I have heard before, but never have I seen them
all linked in this manner.

Something more light hearted?

try this site now

Thanks to Mark for showing me the video

cute little killer monk

2005-12-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

GReat vid, thanks Evan.

bouncy!

2005-11-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

i laughed my ass off

thanks for the link Mark
http://www.hedonistica.com/media.php?path=/videos/ball_bounce.wmv

video an stuff oh my

2005-11-10T13:43:00.000-08:00

ok you have to watch this one to the end and read why.(link from Perry)

It basicly about some guy who steals images and makes money from it, and some other guy who is pissed at him...real life warning!
http://www.ebaumsworldsucks.com/

and this well...this is just wrong and wierd ...another example of what you can find on google video...thanks keeblenet.http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-759345987677277187&q=my+humps

people really miss hockey

2005-10-24T09:43:00.000-07:00

Check the site out

Very funny vids, makes me want a robot money of my own....

Gwen Stefani "Holla Back" Remix - Curry-N-Rice Girl

2005-10-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Very funny Curry-N-Rice Girl remix

minimize the screen when it starts playing to around 300x400

http://viknluda.com/foe/video/google.html

taken

2005-10-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.biteycastle.com/taken.htm

very cool i hope they do episodes

thx Perry

where should US invade next

2005-10-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

OMG
watch the idiots

ok so they augmented the map a bit by changing some of the names ...but geeez how many people dont know that Australia is not north Korea

another good Evan link

video game ..and spam

2005-10-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.retrocrush.com/archive2005/arcadesounds/
fun link Evan sent me , classic game sounds

and i have changed the comments feature on the blog as i am getting spamed

jack up??

2005-09-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

Funny news video clip....i bet she wont live that down for a while

watch it

Fox News Suggests Canadian Katrina Generosity Meant To Embarrass George W. Bush

2005-09-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

WTF....all those that donated and all our Tax $ going down south to help without my permission....and now this

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Frank McKenna during an interview by Fox news reporter Frank Gibson last week was grilled by Gibson on Canada's motives for reacting so quickly to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

The interview was shown during the September 9 episode of The O'Reilly Factor, All Things Considered and was titled, "KATRINA: Is Canada Doing Enough to Help?" The interview segment was introduced after Fox news man Tony Snow reported to Bill O'Reilly the fact that Canada "continues to ship oil relatively cheap" to the northern US states. Bill O'Reilly then introduced the interview segment by saying, "I don't know what the situation is with Canada, they've helped us out before but I'm gonna let them have a pass on this".

John Gibson took over and after thanking Canada through Ambassador McKenna for sending extra oil during the disaster, Gibson then added, "You kind of embarrassed us..the Vancouver Search & Rescue team showed up in St. Bernard's Parish before uh..any of the American Search & Rescue teams. We appreciate the help but ya know you're not supposed to embarrass us".

It gets worse.

McKenna appeared to be slightly taken aback by Gibson's statement, chuckled and went on to assure his host and the American public that it was not Canada's intention to embarrass the U.S. but to "help our neighbours".

video

watch
read on
read it now

Terror ALert lvl

2005-09-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Ok this is really funny

Current terror Alert lvl is

Xbox 360 to Hit Store Shelves Nov. 22 in North America

2005-09-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Countdown Begins: Xbox 360 to Hit Store Shelves Nov. 22 in North America, Dec. 2 in Europe and Dec. 10 in Japan

Manufacturing kicks into high gear as Microsoft braces for unprecedented global demand.

TORONTO, ON — September 15, 2005 — Fueling global anticipation for the arrival of its powerful new video game and entertainment system, Microsoft Corp. today announced that Xbox 360™ will arrive on store shelves Tuesday, Nov. 22 in North America, Friday, Dec. 2 in Europe, and Saturday, Dec. 10 in Japan. The announcement, made on the eve of Tokyo Game Show 2005, marked the first time that a game console will be launched in three territories in the same time frame. In preparation for what is expected to be massive worldwide demand for the new system, Microsoft also announced that Xbox 360 manufacturing is under way, with state-of-the-art facilities producing millions of units ultimately bound for frenzied gamers’ homes from Osaka, Japan, to Oxford, England, and Orlando, Fla.

“This holiday season, gamers in Japan, Europe and North America pining to experience jaw-dropping high-definition graphics, unmatched online play and compelling digital entertainment features of Xbox 360 will finally have the chance,” said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. “Renowned development studios around the world are busy putting the finishing touches on their Xbox 360 games. We expect a strong portfolio of titles on launch day and through the holidays that will appeal to fans of every genre and gamers in every region, and with more than 200 games currently in development, continuous new additions to the library are on the way.”

Bach and other Microsoft executives, headlining a series of events that open Tokyo Game Show, will detail the company’s strategy for success in Japan. More than 40 publishers in Japan, including Bandai Co. Ltd., Capcom Co. Ltd., Koei Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., Namco Ltd., Sega Corp., Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd., have pledged their support for Xbox 360, joining the ranks of the best publishers from around the world. As the ultimate canvas for game developers, Xbox 360 will inspire a new wave of innovation in gameplay, storytelling and artistry never before seen in video games.

Promising to capture the imagination of Japanese gamers, new titles and established franchises such as “Dead or Alive® 4,” “Ridge Racer 6,” “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS™,” ”Dead Rising” and “FINAL FANTASY® XI” will be available on Xbox 360 in the months to come. With support for high-definition output with anti-aliasing, and Dolby® 5.1 surround sound, all Xbox 360 games will deliver smooth, cinematic experiences that scream off the screen.

In addition to the impressive lineup of titles both in Japan and around the world, gamers will soon be able to enjoy the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, the Emmy®-award-winning online games and entertainment network. With Xbox 360 and the Xbox Live service, gamers can play online in a community of millions, connect with friends using voice and video chat, download new content, build online profiles and experience new modes of entertainment. Xbox 360 is also the ultimate amplifier for music, movies and photos stored on an array of devices including MP3 players, digital cameras and Microsoft® Windows® XP-based PCs. The console makes it easy for gamers to enjoy all their digital content in the living room, on the best TV and speakers in the house.

Tokyo Game Show marks the first time that consumers will be able to experience the power of Xbox 360 firsthand. A number of key titles will be on display at the Xbox 360 booth:

• “(eM)-eNCHANT-arM” (FromSoftware Inc.)
• “Bomberman — Act Zero” (Hudson Soft Co. Ltd.)
• “Call of Duty® 2” (Activision Inc.)
• “CHROMEHOUNDS” (Sega)
• “Dead Rising” (Capcom)
• “Dynasty Warriors 5 Special” (Koei Co. Ltd.)
• “Everyparty” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “Far East of Eden — Ziria” (Hudson Soft)
• “FINAL FANTASY XI” (Square Enix Co. Ltd.)
• “Frame City Killer” (Namco)
• “Gears of War” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “Kameo™: Elements of Power™” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “Mobile Suit Gundam” (tentative title) (Bandai Co. Ltd.)
• “Need for Speed Most Wanted” (Electronic Arts)
• “NINETY-NINE NIGHTS” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “The Outfit™” (THQ)
• “Project Gotham Racing® 3” (Microsoft Game Studios)
• “Resident Evil 5” (Capcom)
• “Ridge Racer 6” (Namco)
• “Rumble Roses XX” (tentative title) (Konami)
• “Shutoku Battle” (tentative title) (Genki Co. Ltd.)
• “Sonic the Hedgehog” (Sega)
• “Saint’s Row™” (THQ)
• “Test Drive Unlimited” (Atari Inc.)
• “Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter” (Ubisoft Entertainment)
• “World Air Force” (tentative title) (Taito Corp.)
• “Wrestle Kingdom” (Yuke’s Co. Ltd.)

Microsoft also announced Japanese pricing of Xbox 360. Japanese gamers looking for the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride and best value right out of the box may purchase an Xbox 360 system, which comes fully loaded with a 20GB detachable Xbox 360 Hard Drive for storing music, video and games, an Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, an Xbox 360 Media Remote control, an Xbox 360 Headset, a Component HD-AV Cable for connecting to component and composite television inputs, an Ethernet cable, and batteries, at 37,900 JPY.*

About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you. The system will launch this holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

New Aeon Flux vid

2005-09-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

watch now

Japanese theater offers 'geeks' cheap tickets

2005-09-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

A small movie theater outside Tokyo is offering cheaper tickets to so-called geeks - known in Japan as "otaku" - for a summer romance movie about a nerdy guy who falls in love.

All that's needed to get the discount - 100 yen (US$0.90; euro0.73) for students and 400 yen (US$3.60; euro2.93) for adults - is ask for "one ticket for a geek" at the booth for the Japanese movie "Train Man."

"Customers are getting a kick out of saying it," said Koji Nitta, sales chief the Fujisawa Chuo theater, south of Tokyo. "There are only a few who look like typical geeks, though."

The ticket promotion, which Nitta credits with raising sales at the theater, is part of the changing image of Japan's "otaku," who have long been seen as social misfits obsessed with comic books and animated videos.

"Otaku" culture has become a legitimate field of research in Japan, and a study last year estimated that sales generated by goods targeted at the country's 2.8 million nerds totaled 258 billion yen (US$2.3 billion).

The movie, "Densha Otoko" in Japanese, takes so-called geeks into a genre they're not usually associated with: romantic love. The 22-year-old otaku hero turns to a favorite geek refuge in search of girlfriend advice - the Internet.

The movie is based on a book of the same title released last year. A TV series derived from the film was broadcast starting in July.

Offering a discount seems to be widening the types of people eligible to be otaku: Nitta said about 70 per cent of the theater's customers now claim to be geeks.

Scientists harness the power of pee

2005-08-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

Physicists in Singapore have succeeded in creating the first paper battery that generates electricity from urine. This new battery will be the perfect power source for cheap, disposable healthcare test-kits for diseases such as diabetes. This research is published today in the Institute of Physics’ Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering.

Scientists in research groups around the world are trying to design ever smaller “biochips” that can test for a variety of diseases at once, give instant results, and, crucially, can be mass produced cheaply. But until now, no one has been able to solve the problem of finding a power source as small and as cheap to fabricate as the detection technology itself.

More ...
Thanks for the intel, Mark A

Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Price for Canada: Starts at $399.99 CDN

2005-08-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hot off the press

Feature-packed system brings high-definition gaming to the masses this holiday season.

Toronto, ON — Aug. 17, 2005 — Ending weeks of speculation about which upcoming video game platform will give gamers the most bang for their buck, today at the German Games Convention, Microsoft Corp. revealed that consumers can get their hands on Xbox 360™ — the most powerful and feature-packed next-generation video game and entertainment system — for as little as $399.99 CDN starting this holiday season. For gamers who want to experience the ultimate digital entertainment thrill ride, Microsoft also announced a model with hundreds of dollars worth of accessories for $499.99 CDN, giving consumers the definitive entertainment experience at an unbelievable value right out of the box.

The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System — along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world’s best publishers and developers — will make their debut in North America, Europe and Japan in time for this Christmas holiday, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region launch signifies an industry first. The Xbox 360 platform will deliver the most powerful console, the best games, the next generation of the Xbox Live® service, and amazing digital entertainment experiences never seen in console entertainment.

“The sheer entertainment value of Xbox 360 cannot be overstated,” said Robbie Bach, chief Xbox officer for Microsoft. “While the system has the muscle to power awe-inspiring graphics, audio and online play, it’s also got the intelligence to serve as a one-of-a-kind entertainment device that plays CDs, DVDs, MP3s and digital content from an array of devices, including portable music players and digital cameras.”

With its built-in Ethernet port and free Silver level of service right out of the box, Xbox 360 also connects players to Xbox Live, the premier global online console games and entertainment network. With Xbox Live, gamers can chat with friends online, build and share gamer profiles, send and receive text and voice messages, and access Xbox Live Marketplace for new content such as game demos, trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade. Subscribers to the Gold level of service will also enjoy access to online multiplayer gaming in their favourite games, as well as great promotional programs such as worldwide tournaments, the chance to play online with their favourite celebrities, and opportunities to win big prizes.

For gamers who want the ultimate experience (and the best value) right out of the box, Microsoft will offer the $499.99 CDN Xbox 360 console. This premium edition — distinguished by signature metallic detailing on the console itself — comes fully loaded for the ultimate gaming experience, with components and accessories that would cost more than $300 CDN if sold separately:

• Xbox 360 console. Sexy styling that packs a punch — three powerful core processors are poised to pump out 720p/1080i output, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.
• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace.
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming features the Xbox® Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries.
• Xbox 360 Faceplate. The removable Faceplate comes in stylish “chill” (white) and can be swapped out with custom Faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor.
• Xbox 360 Headset. This lets gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games on Xbox Live.
• Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable. This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360 games and graphics through high-definition and standard-definition connections.
• Xbox Live Silver membership. With this, gamers can chat with friends online, send and receive voice and text messages, and access new content from Xbox Live Marketplace demos such as trailers and casual games from Xbox Live Arcade.
• A bonus Media Remote. Included for a limited time, the integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as access their Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC’s controls with a single remote.

At $399.99 CDN, the Xbox 360 Core System comes standard with what consumers need to jump right into next-generation games and media, and is fully expandable to the complete Xbox 360 experience:

• Xbox 360 console. As with the premium edition, three powerful core processors pump out 720p/1080i output, 16x9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound and DVD playback right out of the box.
• Xbox 360 Controller. This wired controller features an extended nine-foot cable and a comfortable, enhanced ergonomic design.
• Xbox 360 Faceplate. Like no other console before, the Xbox 360 console allows customization and a removable Faceplate that comes in stylish “chill” (white), which can be swapped out with other custom Faceplates to reflect gamers’ personalities or decor.
• Xbox 360 Standard AV Cable. This connects gamers to the world of Xbox 360, delivering great next-generation graphics and games using standard-definition connections.

The Xbox 360 console also comes ready for customization. With an array of Xbox 360 accessories, gamers can trick out their systems to suit their individual tastes and personalize their experiences. In addition to an ever-growing selection of eye-catching Faceplates ($19.99 CDN), Xbox 360 Controller (estimated retail price $49.99 CDN*) and Component HD AV Cable (estimated retail price $49.99 CDN*), the lineup includes a wealth of accessories that brings next-generation gaming entertainment to its optimum:

• Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB). 20 GB and detachable, the hard drive allows gamers to store their games, music, downloaded trailers, levels, demos and community-created content from Xbox Live Marketplace and more (estimated retail price $129.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64 MB). Easily portable, this lets gamers save games, in-game achievements and unique gamer profiles for quick and easy access on the go (estimated retail price $49.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. The same hassle-free high-performance precision wireless gaming that comes with the premium edition features the Xbox Guide Button for quick access to digital movies, music and games libraries as well as a range and battery life of up to 30 feet and 30 hours of life on two AA batteries (estimated retail price $59.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit. This allows plug and play for high-performance, precision wireless gaming with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller. Gamers will be given ample warning when the end of battery life is nearing so they can connect the Play & Charge cable for uninterrupted play (estimated retail price $29.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 rechargeable battery pack. This provides up to 25 hours of gameplay for wireless gaming fun (estimated retail price $14.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter. With this, gamers can chat with friends and play games via Xbox Live, as well as stream videos and music to Xbox 360 from a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC, all without the clutter of wires (estimated retail price $129.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 Headset. This heightens the Xbox Live experience by letting gamers strategize with teammates or trash-talk opponents while playing games (estimated retail price $29.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote. Sold as an accessory, this integrated control center for the entire digital experience lets consumers play DVDs, movies and music, as well as control a TV and their Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PC controls with a single controller (estimated retail price $39.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable (U.S. only) Xbox 360 SCART AV Cable (Europe only). This versatile cable works for both high-definition and standard-definition TVs that use S-Video or composite video inputs. It provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $39.99 CDN*).
• Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable. Gamers can experience high-definition gaming on flat-panel TV or VGA monitors. This cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer (estimated retail price $49.99 CDN*).

“With both the Xbox 360 and the Xbox 360 Core System, we’re offering consumers real choice and real value,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of worldwide marketing and publishing for the Home Entertainment Division at Microsoft. “We’re bringing true next-generation experiences into gamers’ living rooms this Christmas holiday.”

About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you. The system will launch this holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Xbox Live
Xbox Live continues to transform and unite Xbox game communities worldwide, with a presence in 24 countries worldwide and a global community of more than 2 million members. As the first and only global, unified online console games service, Xbox Live offers world-class games, intelligent matchmaking, tournaments, unique programming and integration with Xbox.com. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/live.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Robo Kitty

2005-08-16T13:36:00.000-07:00

Ok this guy really has oo much time onhis hands

thanks for the vid mike

MOV

Men do have trouble hearing women - Real News

2005-08-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Men who are accused of never listening by women now have an excuse -- women's voices are more difficult for men to listen to than other men's, a report said.

The Daily Mail, quoting findings published in the specialist magazine.

NeuroImage, said researchers at Sheffield university in northern England discovered startling differences in the way the brain responds to male and female sounds.

Men deciphered female voices using the auditory part of the brain that processes music, while male voices engaged a simpler mechanism, it said.

The Mail quoted researcher Michael Hunter as saying, "The female voice is actually more complex than the male voice, due to differences in the size and shape of the vocal cords and larynx between men and women, and also due to women having greater natural 'melody' in their voices.

"This causes a more complex range of sound frequencies than in a male voice."

The findings may help explain why people suffering hallucinations usually hear male voices, the report added, as the brain may find it much harder to conjure up a false female voice accurately than a false male voice.

From (AP)

Hacking the hotel through the TV

2005-08-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

Thx for the link SuperS.......

LAS VEGAS--When Adam Laurie stays at hotels, he says he can hack his way around paying for premium TV channels, the minibar and phone calls.

What's more, by connecting his laptop to certain modern hotel TV systems, Laurie says he can spy on other guests. He can't look into their rooms (yet), but depending on the system he can see what they are watching on their TV, look at their guest folios, change the minibar bill and follow along as they browse the Internet on the hotel television set.

To tease his fellow guests, he can also check them out of their room and set early wake-up calls via the TV.

Laurie can do all this because of what he calls the "inverted security model" of the systems. "The TV is controlling which content I get to see. The hotel in most cases is streaming all content without any control," Laurie said in a presentation Saturday here at the Defcon event for security professionals and enthusiasts.

By plugging the hotel TV cable into a USB TV tuner connected to a laptop computer, Laurie can hack his way into the back-end systems controlling the entertainment and other convenience features found in modern hotels, he said in his presentation.

He found that many of those systems give access to information depending on an ID associated with the room's TV. By changing that ID, he said that he was able to access information for other rooms. Many such hotel systems show guest bills, phone and room service records and offer video check-out.

Laurie found that the hotel TV systems also have special controls for hotel employees. Housekeeping staff can report a room as clean, for example. Additionally, he found that some systems let room service staff input billing for the minibar, which he now controlled.

"Sometimes you can actually control physical devices," Laurie said. In one Holiday Inn hotel he found the system that controlled an electronic lock on the minibar.

While staying at a Hilton hotel in Paris, Laurie automated his hack and placed a camera in front of the TV. He snapped pictures of every screen and found out the occupancy rate of the hotel, the names of the guests, what they were paying, where they were calling and how long they had been at the hotel. He showed the pictures at Defcon, but obscured the guest names.

Part of Laurie's hack is simple. He found that premium channels are actually being broadcast all the time; the TV just can't tune into them until the guest pays. If a someone brings in a TV--the laptop and USB TV tuner will do fine--and connects it, they're set.

It gets harder from there. Changing the ID of the TV requires some skill, as does finding the room service billing codes. The systems use codes entered on the TV remote. So Laurie carries around an infrared device that he connects to his laptop. He wrote a program that sends codes to the TV and in about 30 minutes finds the relevant ones.

And the situation isn't getting better. "They are starting to do things like allowing you to put credit card numbers in through the TV," Laurie said. Also, he said, some of the makers of these hotel systems are looking at adding Webcams, perhaps to let people chat over the Internet.

Great mind game

2005-07-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am addicted I cant leave my computer

lvl 8 and going strongplanet game

Ninja pays 1/2 my rent

2005-07-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

ninja link

fun video...sory of like my ultimate roomate

hey you bored?

2005-07-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.i-am-bored.com/

check ou freeeky food

thanks for the link Katrusia

What I learned on WIN xp yesterday

2005-07-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

install .net 1.1 framework
for any good video cards or the driver will not totally work

New keyboard

2005-07-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

A friend from work just sent me this....very cool

a>

thanks for the link Mike

Phallic Logo awards

2005-07-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Check it out...winner at the bottom

lol

thx Adina

Cruise attacking Oprah

2005-06-22T11:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.collegehumor.com/?movie_id=162165

hehe funny

thanks Keebler

The star wars is satan's tool

2005-06-16T12:16:00.000-07:00

Ok you have to read this:

Billions of dollars has been made off the series of movies called The Star Wars that is beloved by millions. Many big fans of this space opera, do not know that the fantasy epic they enjoy is not a simple entertainment, but Satan's Battleground for their very souls!

In this “Final Episode” of the Star Wars, EVIL triumphs using the Force - a greater force they claim than God! This is a Dangerous LIE! This is no mindless entertainment, but an attempt by DEMONS to distract you from your real 75 year mission on planet Earth, to give yourself to Jesus! Do not trust a Yodah puppet from Satan’s dream factory, trust in the Word of the Bible!

Yes you read it right

vids for today

2005-06-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

I a funny little clip of a bull tearing a guys pants off
click

OLDBoy
I recommend this film go now

Store Wars - darkside of the farm

2005-06-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Ok pretty funny attempt on the side of organic growers to get people to see the evil of chemical foods

http://www.storewars.org/flash/index.html

Update on the video game stabbing

2005-06-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

Chinese gamer sentenced to life

A Shanghai online gamer has been given a suspended death sentence for killing a fellow gamer. Qui Chengwei stabbed Zhu Caoyuan in the chest when he found out he had sold his virtual sword for 7,200 Yuan (£473).

The sword, which Mr Qui had lent to Mr Zhu, was won in the popular online game Legend of Mir 3.

Attempts to take the dispute to the police failed because there is currently no law in China to protect virtual property.

Appeal plea

Buying and selling gaming artefacts such as imaginary weapons is a booming business on the web.

The internet games section of Ebay saw more than $9m (£5m) in trades in 2003.

While China has no laws to deal with the theft of virtual property, South Korea has a section of its police force that investigates in-game crime.

Dragon sabre

According to the Chinese press, more and more gamers are seeking justice through the courts over stolen weapons and credits accumulated in games.

In this case, Mr Zhu did offer to hand over the cash but Mr Qui lost patience and stabbed him with "great force" according to media reports.

The suspended sentence given to Qui means he could spend the rest of his life behind bars, although it could be reduced to 15 years for good behaviour.

The parents of the dead man are planning to appeal against the sentence.

"My son was only 26 when he died. He was sleeping when Qiu broke into his home. He was barely able to put his pants on before Qiu stabbed him," said his father, Zhu Huimin.

"We want Qui to die, and immediately," he added.

The case has led to a debate about where the law stands on virtual property, such as the dragon sabre owned by Qiu.

Following the case, associate law professor at Beijing's Renmin University of China said that such weapons should be deemed as private property because players "have to spend time and money for them".

But a lawyer for one Shanghai-based internet game company told a Chinese newspaper that the weapons were in fact just data created by games providers and therefore not the property of gamers.

Xbox 360 update

2005-06-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Press Briefing

The most important announcement at this event was the demonstration of the Xbox 360, planned for release this holiday season. Company management stated that the Xbox 360 would be backward compatible for "most top selling Xbox games", and pledged "support " for the current generation Xbox "well into 2006". Two weeks ago, we noted our
concern that the Xbox 360 may not be backward compatible with Xbox software due to a change in graphics processor chipset manufacturers from Nvidia to ATI. In a separate meeting with Microsoft management, we confirmed that the company has agreed to pay a small royalty to Nvidia to allow the Xbox 360's ATI chipset to emulate the performance of the Nvidia chipset in reading certain Xbox games. For games written in a single layer
(management assumes that this is a large percentage of Xbox games), the hardware emulation should perform well.

For games written in multiple layers, a further emulation must be provided. The company intends to create software "patches" (i.e., separate emulation programs) for top-selling Xbox games written in multiple layers, and intends to sell the Xbox 360 with a hard drive that is pre-loaded with these patches. We presume that the majority of Xbox games will be backward compatible, and the company assured us that it intends to add patches should consumer demand warrant such action.

We are less confident about Microsoft's intentions regarding the current generation Xbox. The company's pledge of "support" is broad, but we believe that it does not equate to "manufacture" of Xboxes. Rather, we believe that the company has stockpiled a number of Nvidia chipsets, and is prepared to manufacture current generation Xboxes through the end of 2005, and perhaps for a few months beyond. The implications of this are difficult to assess: on the one hand, it is likely that the company will focus all of its marketing efforts on the rollout of the Xbox 360, and phase out the Xbox rapidly, resulting in a rapid ramp in sales of the new hardware; on the other hand, it is possible that Microsoft will be unable to satisfy demand for the 360, and may experience a decline in demand for current generation Xbox software, resulting in lower overall industry sales growth this year. We believe that the latter scenario is likely to occur, and note that it could impact overall industry sales growth by approximately 100 bps in 2005.

One final takeaway: Microsoft did not discuss pricing for the Xbox 360, but assured us in our meeting with management that "neither you nor consumers will be shocked" at the price. This implies to us that the device will be priced below $400, and may possibly be priced at $350. As discussed below, we expect Sony's entry to be priced higher, potentially providing Microsoft with an additional competitive advantage.

some pretty cool art

2005-06-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.themonsterengine.com/art.html

check out all the cool monster art. From kids drawings to monsters.

ps: Itlay Serbia/Montenegro game tonight!

Harry Potter 6 shoot out

2005-06-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

Gunfire over 'stolen Potter book'

Two men have been arrested after shots were fired during what was thought to be a newspaper deal to buy a stolen copy of the new Harry Potter novel.
Police were called to Tresham Street in Kettering, Northants, on Friday morning after reports a weapon had been fired.

full story

More wierdness from Hitachi

2005-05-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

Ok i understand that making a little cute commercial can get people to remember stuff. But this is just too much for what the message is.

although funny :)
have fun

ok ok i swear we got some really good commercials for you kids

Mr Yuk from the 70's

crying while eating

2005-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

http://cryingwhileeating.com/
wierd , got this at work from a friend ...wierd

and now for some fun
kickups game

Slap Your Co-Worker Day is Coming!!

2005-05-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the official Slap Your Irritating Co-workers Holiday: Do you have a co-worker who talks nonstop about nothing, working your last nerve with tedious and boring details that you don't care about? Do you have a co-worker who ALWAYS screws up stuff creating MORE work for you? Do you have a co-worker who kisses so much booty, you can look in their mouth and see what your boss had for lunch? Do you have a co-worker who is SOOO obnoxious, when he/she enters a room, everyone else clears it? Well, on behalf of Ike Turner, I am so very very glad to officially announce tomorrow as SLAP YOUR IRRITATING CO-WORKER DAY! There are the rules you must follow:

* You can only slap one person per hour - no more.
* You can slap the same person again if they irritate you again in the same day.
* You are allowed to hold someone down as other co-workers take their turns slapping the irritant.
* No weapons are allowed...other than going upside somebody's head with a stapler or a hole-puncher.
* If questioned by a supervisor [or police, if the supervisor is the irritant], you are allowed to LIE, LIE, LIE! Now, study the rules, break out your list of folks that you want to slap the living day lights out of and get to slapping.....and have a great day

This has to be fake....right

2005-05-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

d&d mishaphttp://www.boreme.com/bm/APR05/a/magic-missile/fr.htm

fainting goats

2005-05-05T08:58:00.000-07:00

hehe ok it not what you think
its kind of a funny vid showing this bread of goat that stiffens up or faints when excited

thanks for the vid Mike

watch now

ok ok here is a scarry british commercial ...polotics...
thanks Adina

watch now

on the meat side of things

2005-05-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

CLEARFIELD, Pa. - The burger war is growing. Literally. Denny's Beer Barrel Pub, which lost its crown as the home of the world's biggest burger earlier this year, is now offering a new burger that weighs a whopping 15 pounds.

Dubbed the Beer Barrel Belly Buster, the burger comes with 10.5 pounds of ground beef, 25 slices of cheese, a head of lettuce, three tomatoes, two onions, a cup-and-a-half each of mayonnaise, relish, ketchup, mustard and banana peppers — and a bun.

It costs $30.

"It can feed a family of 10," said Denny Liegey Sr., the restaurant's owner.

Denny's Beer Barrel Pub had offered a 6-pound burger — with 5 pounds of toppings.

In February, a 100-pound female college student became the first to eat the burger within the three-hour time limit. Kate Stelnick, of Princeton, N.J., was awarded a special certificate, a T-shirt and other prizes and Leigey picked up the $23.95 tab for the burger.

One month later, the Clinton Station Diner in Clinton, N.J., introduced a 12.5-pound burger dubbed Zeus.

So Liegey responded, and the Belly Buster was born.

Over the weekend, four men took the challenge, but couldn't get through the entire burger. They opted for doggie bags, instead.

"It's a little too much for me to handle," said Steve Hepburn, of Clearfield. "It's like trying to eat half a cow."

too many emotions

2005-05-03T09:09:00.000-07:00

I usually dont write about me or anything.
But today i am a rollercoaster of emotions.

Happy - my contract is almost over and was hired on full time with some cool new projects - shhhhhh

Confused - one word...women

Excited - Joe is coming down this summer! My party is soon! Lance's stag is soon, One student loan almost done.

Anger - other people expecting things from me

Some more great video fun

2005-05-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

stomp stomp stomp
Stomp

did you get your daily dose of ninja fun?
well did you

Today's cool games and vids

2005-04-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

This game rocks
Very cool flash game....and a bit spooky

From Evan
You're gonna need to view it in IE....it needs window media player....plus it throws a browser detect error if you use Firefox.

links in the story

Exploding Frogs

2005-04-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

Go this from my friend keebler

BERLIN - More than 1,000 toads have puffed up and exploded in a Hamburg pond in recent weeks, and scientists still have no explanation for what's causing the combustion, an official said Wednesday.

Both the pond's water and body parts of the toads have been tested, but scientists have been unable to find a bacteria or virus that would cause the toads to swell up and pop, said Janne Kloepper, of the Hamburg-based Institute for Hygiene and the Environment.

"It's absolutely strange," she said. "We have a really unique story here in Hamburg. This phenomenon really doesn't seem to have appeared anywhere before."

The toads at a pond in the upscale neighborhood of Altona have been blowing up since the beginning of the month, filling up like balloons until their stomachs suddenly burst.

"It looks like a scene from a science-fiction movie," Werner Schmolnik, the head of a local environment group, told the Hamburger Abendblatt daily. "The bloated animals suffer for several minutes before they finally die."

Biologists have come up with several theories, but Kloepper said that most have been ruled out.

The pond's water quality is no better or worse than other bodies of water in Hamburg, the toads did not appear to have a disease, and a laboratory in Berlin has ruled out the possibility that it is a fungus that made its way from South America, she said.

She said that tests will continue. In the meantime, city residents have been warned to stay away from the pond.

THE 1 MILLION DOWNLOAD CHALLENGE

2005-04-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

The Story

Before the weekend, Opera's CEO, Jon S. von Tetzchner boldy proclaimed at a company meeting that if download numbers of Opera 8 reached 1 million within four days he would swim from Norway to the USA . Opera's communications department could not resist the temptation, and made his statement public. As any respectable CEO and gentlemen, Mr. Tetzchner stands by his word.

I want to thank each and every one of the one million plus people who have downloaded Opera 8 over the last days. I am proud to say that this is the most successful browser launch in the ten-year history of Opera. I have received numerous requests over the weekend on whether or not I am going to swim to the USA should we reach one million downloads. Although I blatantly admit that my promise was based more on joy and enthusiasm than my swimming abilities and physical health, I will do my very best to keep it.

http://www.opera.com/swim/

Adobe buys Macromedia!

2005-04-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

Adobe and Macromedia

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Macromedia (Nasdaq: MACR) in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $3.4 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by both boards of directors, Macromedia stockholders will receive, at a fixed exchange ratio, 0.69 shares of Adobe common stock for every share of Macromedia common stock in a tax-free exchange. Based on Adobe’s and Macromedia’s closing prices on Friday April 15, 2005, this represents a price of $41.86 per share of Macromedia common stock.

The combination of Adobe and Macromedia strengthens our mission of helping people and organizations communicate better. Through the combination of our powerful development, authoring and collaboration tools – and the complementary functionality of PDF and Flash – we have the opportunity to drive an industry-defining technology platform that delivers compelling, rich content and applications across a wide range of devices and operating systems.

By combining the passion and creativity of two leading-edge companies, we will continue driving innovations that are changing the ways people everywhere are experiencing and interacting with information.

Adobe is required to include the following legend on any communications that may be deemed to be offering or soliciting material under the applicable SEC rules and regulations:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

Some new , funny vids

2005-04-15T10:51:00.000-07:00

Picture yourself in the library studing....
http://www.prangstgrup.com/librarymusical/quicktime.php
another great presentation of classic japanese music....

darko.ca/video/acappella.wmv

MS, Sony pick 16 May for next-gen console launches

2005-04-11T06:58:00.000-07:00

Strait from Mike B's IM to your eyes!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The waiting will be over on 16 May. On that day, at 3PM PST, Sony will take the wraps off PlayStation 3. Three hours later, Microsoft will unveil Xbox 2.

Well, that's the hope. Certainly, Sony has scheduled a press event at its Culver City, Los Angeles Sony Pictures facility on that date and time. Microsoft, meanwhile, has booked a venue in downtown LA with a view to a 6PM opening time, GamesIndustry.biz reports

That either company intends to announce its next-generation console at their respective events hasn't been confirmed, but with the E3 games industry show due to kick off the day after, 17 May, it's a pretty good bet that both companies have big gaming announcements to make.

Sony spokesfolks have hinted in the past that PS3 - or whatever it will be called - will be launched ahead of E3. Past product roadmaps have pointed to an early to mid-2005 launch. The company gave the PowerPC-derived 'Cell' processor on which the new console will be based its first public outing in February. So the omens are good.

As they are on the Xbox 2 front. A memo alleged to have leaked out of games publisher Electronic Arts earlier this year pointed to a late 2005 release date for Microsoft's next console, codenamed 'Xenon'. Next month's launch notwithstanding, PS3 isn't expected to ship until Q1/Q2 2006, so Microsoft could very well want to get in ahead of its rival will a release targeting the Christmas 2005 sales season. Comment made by other industry players, including Nintendo, suggests the business believes Microsoft will try to get in early.

Having not taken the chance to launch Xbox 2 at January's Consumer Electronics Show or February's Game Developer's Conference, Microsoft has to be eyeing upcoming major games industry events of which E3 is by far the biggest and most important.

Microsoft said last week its new hardware will "deliver on the company's vision of the HD Era" by offering "high-definition graphics, extraordinary benefits of constant connectedness and exceptional personalization abilities" as it announced the initial line-up of publishers preparing Xbox 2 titles. ®

Myers-Briggs Star Trek

2005-04-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

ok this is funny

I did this test years ago and was a Idealist Champion
so that makes me a Kirk!

SJ Guardian ESTJ Riker ISTJ Spock ESFJ McCoy ISFJ Chakotay
SP Artisan ESTP LaForge ISTP Wesley ESFP Janeway ISFP EMH
NF Idealist ENFJ Troi INFJ Sisko ENFP Kirk INFP Garak
NT Rational ENTJ Q INTJ Picard ENTP Kim INTP Worf

Check it out

Has Cookie Monster given up sweets?

2005-04-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

Just got this from a friend at work:

Ok if this really happens, if i see him chomping on a celery stick I am going to have a c is for cookie cd burning event, he is a bloody monster

Has Cookie Monster given up sweets?
'Sesame Street' advocates healthy eating habits

Thursday, April 7, 2005 Posted: 6:42 PM EDT (2242 GMT)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Something must be wrong in the land of Muppets.

First PBS announced that "Sesame Street" would kick off its 35th season this week with a multiyear story arc about healthy habits. No problem there; childhood obesity rates are soaring. Then I learned of changes that turned my "Sesame Street" world upside-down.

My beloved blue, furry monster -- who sang "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me" -- is now advocating eating healthy. There's even a new song -- "A Cookie Is a Sometimes Food," where Cookie Monster learns there are "anytime" foods and "sometimes" foods.

"Sacrilege!" I cried. "That's akin to Oscar the Grouch being nice and clean." (Co-workers gave me strange looks. But I didn't care.)

Being a journalist, I did the only thing I knew how to do. I investigated why "Sesame Street" gave Cookie Monster a health makeover.

The answer would lead me into a world where television producers worked with health experts and politicians, a place where Cookie Monster does care about his health, and by association, the health of children.

The first place I headed was the Internet. On the Sesame Street Web site, little had changed. There was Cookie Monster, in all his blue furriness. He was holding a plate of cookies. He was chomping on a cookie. He still looked the same. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving.

So I searched the site for news on Cookie Monster and up popped a press release about the show's "Healthy Habits for Life" emphasis. Buried near the bottom was a one-sentence mention about Cookie Monster eating fewer cookies.

But what did that mean? Scarfing one plateful instead of two?

Talking vegetables

I picked up the telephone. "What's going on with Cookie Monster?" I asked the "Sesame Street" press office. "Why are you doing this?"

They sent me to Dr. Rosemarie T. Truglio, the show's vice president of research and education.

She said the show changes every year, focusing not just on teaching numbers and letters but also emotional and physical health. With the rise in childhood obesity, Truglio said "Sesame Street" is concentrating on the need to teach children about healthy foods and physical activity.

This season, each episode opens with a "health tip" about nutrition, exercise, hygiene and rest.

Truglio said "Sesame Street" also will introduce new characters, such as talking eggplants and carrots, and offer parodies, such as "American Fruit Stand." Even guest stars will address healthy activities, such as Alicia Keys talking and singing about the importance of physical activity.

Even politicians have gotten into the act, filming public service announcements with "Sesame Street" residents. In one taping, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist taught Elmo to exercise -- jumping up and down. In another, Sen. Hillary Clinton and the small red monster discuss the various textures and tastes of foods.

But what about their position on Cookiegate?

"Even Cookie Monster is learning to control his cookie cravings," Frist told me by e-mail. "His sage advice opened our eyes to the simple joys of a tasty cookie and now reminds us that moderation is the key to healthy living."

Cookie Monster was not available for comment. (I'm hoping he hasn't gone too Hollywood.)

"We are not putting him on a diet," said his spokesman, Truglio. "And we would never take the position of no sugar. We're teaching him moderation."

'Sometimes food'

The furry one also plans to try different kinds of cookies (read: healthier cookies) rather than his just staple, chocolate chip.

But will he still scarf his food? Yes, plus the occasional object, Truglio said.

But isn't that unhealthy? Her reply: He's still Cookie Monster.

Cookie Monster appears to be happy with the new "sometimes food" song, because at the end he warbles: "Is sometimes now?"

"Yes," he's told.

So there it is. Cookie Monster still gobbles cookies, he's just a healthier version of his old self. His eyes are still googly, his fur is still scruffy and he's still messy.

Even "Sesame Street" recognizes that we all need guilty pleasures.

Pulp fiction hockey

2005-04-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

Got this from a friend at work , not sure who made it or why.
but is dam funny.....basicly it Jules Winnfield from pulp fiction as a hockey coach

http://darko.ca/images/chelios.wmv

New star wars tv clips

2005-04-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

Tragedy clip

Unleashed clip

Misc clip

Battlestar Galactica and the Spacey's

2005-04-01T11:33:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me knows I love BSG (battlestar galactica) the new series.
so i thought I would share this with you

Wired reviews BSG

Also the Spacey awards are up and voting has started
go go go
now

Vote now

From Ipez to Flash video

2005-04-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

So my friend Joe sent me this link
Ipez looks like a fn idea..however it does not dispence candy....yet

And from Evan...
New costume ideas
http://www.tk409.com/

Michelle send me a cool link from the Flash FOrward film awards
Balfilm
More info on the awards Flashforward

Onliner gamer stabbed over 'stolen' cybersword

2005-03-30T11:59:00.000-08:00

Published Wednesday 30th March 2005 12:30 GMT
A Shanghai man stabbed to death a fellow online gamer who sold a virtual sword they had jointly won while playing "Legend of Mir 3", Reuters reports.

Qiu Chengwei, 41, repeatedly stabbed Zhu Caoyuan after discovering that Zhu had sold the "dragon sabre" for 7,200 yuan (£464). Qiu had lent his friend the cybersabre last February, later reporting it as "stolen" when he learned of the transaction. Police, however, told him that - as the disputed weapon was virtual property - he had no recourse to law.

A Shanghai court heard on Tuesday that "Zhu promised to hand over the cash but an angry Qui lost patience and attacked Zhu at his home, stabbing him in the left chest with great force and killing him." Qui has admitted "intentional injury" and awaits the court's verdict.

China Daily notes that the sorry affair raises something of a legal poser regarding online "possessions". Wang Zongyu, an associate law professor at Beijing's Renmin University of China, told the paper: "The armour and swords in games should be deemed as private property as players have to spend money and time for them."

A lawyer for a Shanghai-based internet game company countered: "The 'assets' of one player could mean nothing to others as they are by nature just data created by game providers."

Indeed, a Japanese woman recently had a run-in with the authorites after deleting her ex's online gaming data - including clothes and weapons. In this case, though, she was charged with "violating a law banning illegal access" rather than offences pertaining to the wanton destruction of her former lover's virtual goods and chattels.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/30/online_gaming_death/

MMM so good, yet soo evil

2005-03-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Doctor Who leak suspect is sacked

2005-03-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

The person who allegedly leaked the first episode of Doctor Who onto the internet has been sacked.

The 45-minute episode called Rose appeared on the internet on 7 March - three weeks before the series was due to start on BBC One.

BBC Worldwide said their broadcast partner in Canada tracked down the source, who had access to an early preview copy.

The first episode of the new series, goes out on Saturday on BBC One at 7pm.

Legal action

The BBC did not provide details about the individual, saying only that the person worked for a "third-party company in Canada".

The Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) - one of the BBC's international production partners - investigated the leak and found the person responsible.

In a statement, BBC Worldwide said: "After a thorough investigation by BBC Worldwide's Canadian broadcast partner, the source of the leak of episode one of the new Doctor Who series has been traced to a third party company in Canada which had an early preview copy for legitimate purposes.

"The individual responsible for the leak has had their employment terminated by that company as a result.

"BBC Worldwide is considering further legal remedies and takes extremely seriously any unlawful copying or misuse of its copyright material."

From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4378881.stm

British TV Station Offers Downloads

2005-03-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

breaking news from Keebler

story link
British TV Station Offers Downloads
from the put-your-license-to-work dept.
Richard W.M. Jones writes "Remember how the British just love to download TV? Well, British terestrial TV channel five has announced that it will become the first to offer TV programmes to download legally. Except that they don't quite seem to get it yet. They are offering here some videos from this car programme which apparently didn't quite make it to air, for the princely sum of £1.50 (about $3), in DRM'd WMV 10 format (mplayer plays them fine). Still, it's a start, and it looks like they're just testing the water. Hopefully they won't take the lack of response as 'proof' that there's no demand. There's more about this at the BBC's website."

http://www.five.tv/home/frameset/?content=2278491

A Little Moolah Goes a Long Way

2005-03-21T11:39:00.000-08:00

LOS ANGELES -- New car: $1. New helmet: 5 cents. Flashy new warrior's sword: 50 cents. Bigger baseball bat: three for $2. Magic spell to help defeat that tricky warlord on level five: 10 cents per use.

Welcome to the online store of the future -- the one embedded in your favorite video game. When Microsoft releases the new version of its video game console -- presumably this year -- it plans to include a storefront that will offer

The idea is that everyone wins: players with disposable income can spend a few cents here and there to enhance their gameplay, and publishers get a way to create a continuing revenue stream.

"Not only do you have to sweep away the distinction between virtual and real, you have to stop looking at video games as a toy and start looking at them as an entertainment service," said Edward Castronova, an associate professor at Indiana University who studies video game economics and is the author of the forthcoming book Synthetic Worlds.

Microtransactions are so named because the purchases are generally a few cents or a dollar or two, often too small to be made by a credit card. That is where intermediaries, like the proposed Xbox service, come in to play.

"Generally if you do anything less than $5 you end up eating up the bulk of that $5 in transaction fees," said Cam Ferroni, general manager of Microsoft's Xbox Live online gaming service. "At the heart of it'll be a points-like system where you buy points and then use those points to make purchases."

Game publishers will have to cooperate by building access to a common storefront into their software, and some purists may argue that such trade creates an unfair playing field.

"In a multiplayer game there's a problem because if I choose to wreck the fantasy by buying my way around stuff, I don't just wreck my fantasy, I wreck others," Castronova said.

But Microsoft executives suggest those who do not take part will hear from unhappy fans.

"If you don't believe in the self-expression thing, so be it," said J. Allard, a Microsoft corporate vice president who has a key role in building the services in the next version of Xbox. "Let's let it play out in the market."

Analysts say the money is good -- perhaps too good to pass up, whether a publisher likes the concept or not.

"We believe that an online marketplace will provide varying high-margin incremental revenue opportunities for all of the major video-game publishers with the Xbox 2 over the next five years," American Technology Research analyst P.J. McNealy said in a recent note.

Some publishers have estimated the potential for an additional $5 million in revenue per game by offering an extra level to an already released title. That potentially could be structured as a microtransaction.

That plan could be a drop in the bucket, though. Ferroni said it was conceivable that someday, the Xbox marketplace would let users trade and sell among themselves.

That paradigm already exists for PC games, which often allow for trading of virtual items. Castronova estimates that players pay between $100 million and $800 million in cash to buy such items on trading and auction sites like eBay.

"What they're saying to developers is if you don't design this into the game the fan site community, these external people, will capture this money stream," Castronova said.

Wired mag

Gum and Breasts

2005-03-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

Thanks to our roving e-reporter Mark for this story

Chewing gum can 'enhance breasts'

Pueraria mirifica is full of active chemicals
A chewing gum which the makers say can help enhance the size, shape and tone of the breasts has proved to be a big hit in Japan.

B2Up says its Bust-Up gum, when chewed three or four times a day, can also help improve circulation, reduce stress and fight ageing.

The gum works by slowly releasing compounds contained in an extract from a plant called Pueraria mirifica.

In theory, this helps to keep the muscle tissue in good order.

Pueraria mirifica, also known as Kwao Krua, is a species found in Thailand and Burma.

It has long been used by indigenous hill tribe people as a traditional medicine.

The plant's underground tubers contain a number of chemicals called phytoestrogens - natural compounds which mimic the effects of the female sex hormone oestrogen.

These include miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, which are believed to exert a particularly strong effect, as they are very close in chemical structure to oestradiol, the main human oestrogen.

B2Up says that it is the effect of these two chemicals, coupled with a third phytooestrogen isoflavone, which makes its gum so effective.

It cites tests carried out by Thailand's Chulalongkorn University which found Pueraria mirifica therapy was able to enhance breast size by 80%.

Further tests carried out in England found that the plant had a beneficial effect on the skin, and hair, as well as the breasts.

The company also markets different Pueraria products, including pills, and tea.

The gum, which comes in rose flavour, has proved so popular that there are plans to start selling it in convenience stores.

Scepticism

Claire Williamson, of the British Nutrition Foundation, said research had suggested phytoestrogens may be beneficial in post-menopausal women in terms of reducing menopausal symptoms, and may also have beneficial effects on risk factors for heart disease and osteoporosis.

A role in breast cancer has also been suggested.

But she said research had suggested that isoflavone supplements are not as effective in managing menopausal symptoms as isoflavone rich foods such as soya.

Furthermore, consumption of isoflavones may need to be life-long in order to have beneficial effects on postmenopausal symptoms.

"So there is clear evidence of the potential health benefits of consuming isoflavone-rich foods such as soya, however consumption in the form of a gum has not been extensively studied and such products may be simply another food gimmick."

Vids for today

2005-03-17T11:19:00.000-08:00

Ahh those IT support overseas guys made a new vid
FOB video

Great little movie about well...you'll see

the moviwe

The full site here fr the movie above

CinemaNow To Offer Music Downloads

2005-03-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

CinemaNow To Offer Music Downloads

Hollywood Reporter/Reuters: CinemaNow, the online movie download service, which has expanded into many other genres besides movies over the last couple of years, is now offer music video downloads, through a partnership with MediaPass Networks. CinemaNow announced agreements with Warner Music Group, Epitaph Records and TVT Records to sell music videos on a download-to-own basis.
The company is set to launch its new service, WatchMusicHere.com, today with 75 music videos but is scheduled to add more than 1,500 additional titles by December.
MediaPass also announced the launch of its own video download service, in partnership with Microsoft...The service will deliver videos that can be played back on Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers and select Smartphones and Pocket PCs.

link

Some more videos

2005-03-15T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ahh lego

Batman

and now for something completely different
Good old tape backup

okok and one for the fun of it

Unmodel behaviour

ok last min addition
Cat with hands...click on link top right

Strange and interesting vid

2005-03-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

Muppets overtime

I find the clip a bit disturbing yet it is a nice tribute.