A device that attaches to a computer to control access to a particular application. Dongles provide the most effective means of copy protection.

[ Webopedia Computer Dictionary ]

There is hope yet:

...disappointed hockey fans can still watch the puck drop in more than 50 million U.S. and Canadian homes when the defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning face off against the Philadelphia Flyers in the season opener of the video game NHL season on G4techTV. The hard-hitting action begins with highlights, scores and stats, airing daily on the network's sports program “Sweat,” premiering October 13 at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT.

[ G4tv.com - Press Releases ]

Time to stock up on soft pretzels, peanuts, and alcohol-free beer! I'll just throw a slab of ice down in my living room, and it'll be just like the MCI center!

Google wants to keep you up to date on them:

Google Alerts are emails automatically sent to you when there are new Google results for your search terms.

[ Google Alerts: FAQ ]

Of course, so does Yahoo!, but I think I like the Google system better. (Even if I can't really say why)

Wha?

A London-to-Washington flight was diverted to Maine on Tuesday when it was discovered passenger Yusuf Islam - formerly known as singer Cat Stevens - was on a government watch list and barred from entering the country, two federal officials said.

[ Guardian Unlimited | World Latest  ]

Apparently we don't mind looking like the stupidest country in the world. And, apparently, we have no one doing any PR work, who would certainly point out that this confirms that the US isn't fighting terrorism, but fighting Islam. I'd like to see W step in and reverse this immediately, or I might have to do the unthinkable.

My copy of Lonely Planet World Food Morocco has arrived and it looks every bit as good as Lonely Planet World Food: Indonesia which I picked up previous to my trip to Indonesia. Next up I think I'll get Mexico even though I have no current plans for a trip there.

The kitchens of Morocco combine European infusion, Arab trade and age-old custom. These elements form a cuisine that reflects a vibrant and lively culture. The essence of Moroccan food - from spiced couscous to sweet mint tea - is captured and celebrated in this comprehensive guide. Whether you are travelling the country or expanding your own pantry, Morocco's true culinary spirit is here for the tasting.

[ Lonely Planet World Food Morocco ]

Survival horror hits the high school – the first action adventure in the style of American teen slasher movies. Tortured screams echo through the high school’s deserted corridors. Faceless creatures lurk in the shadows. Five teenagers set out to bring light into the darkness – and experience a night that will scar their souls forever.

[ Ubisoft - Obscure ]

I hadn't caught wind of this earlier. It seems as if more and more publishers are getting into the horror genre. This one looks good, but a planned horror title from Namco looks rather boring.

Here's the original Japanese:

「東京ゲームショウ２００４」開催初日の９月２４日（金）の９時３０分より、開会式を行います。ご取材のほどよろしくお願い申し上げます。

[ Tokyo Game Show ]

Nintendo, and Sony to some degree, always try to save a few surprise announcements for the TGS. Unfortunately the press is almost all in Japanese, and my Japanese is non-existent. (Though, on my recent trip, I learned my first Kanji: 茶)

So far the fun new totally confirmed announcements seem to be:

• Nintendo DS to arrive November 21st for $149
• PStwo is coming, smaller and more network enabled than it's big brother.

Patience, all will be posted in time.

[ davidkearns.com ]

Most of these photos are from the hotel that we stayed in for a few days as a “mini honeymoon”. There are a couple of photos from the reception, and one of a McDonalds menu...

Still to come, photos from the nikah ceremony.

Update: Link straight to September gallery now working.

Turn a desktop or tabletop into a mini carnival arcade with a Bulls-Eye Ball™ game of skill and chance!

Action packed desktop game is fun for both kids and grownups alike. Toss and "boink" marble-sized silver balls onto the mini built-in trampoline — and into the bulls-eye!

Competition is accompanied by music, flashing lights, sound effects and the amusing voice of a score-keeping barker.

Choose among three automatically scored games: 30-Second Blitz; 25-Point Rush; and the Bulls-Eye Ace.

Recommended for ages 7 and older.

[ Fun Office Game ]

Oh, and seriously impede office productivity...

They warned us:

The current collective bargaining agreement between owners and players expires at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. With no talks scheduled, a lockout is a virtual certainty once the NHL board of governors conclude a Wednesday meeting in New York.

[ Yahoo! Sports - NHL ]

Props to Dari.

Maybe I should switch sports and start following Football, Basketball, or Baseball? Baaaah, that's insantity...

I'm in Tokyo's Narita airport, headed home after a nice vacation.

This trip has further advanced my theory that one truism transcends all cultures:

Wedding photographers are irritating.

I don't expect that I will have many blog entries for the next few weeks. Computers will be hard to come by as I take a small trip:

• Tokyo (Akihabara)
• Jakarta (US Embassy)
• Makassar (Getting married)
• Makassar (Hanging out with new wife)

And then back by mid September. See you then!

Playstation distractions aside, my Metroid P2E bonus disc arrived:

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes won't hit stores until November 15, 2004, but novice and veteran bounty hunters can pick up an official bonus disc with a playable demo in the new Metroid Prime Bonus Bundle! If you already own a Nintendo GameCube, you can receive a bonus disc by registering your GCN and five games, or you can get it with a subscription to Nintendo Power magazine.

[ Metroid Prime 2 Echoes - Bonus Disc ]

Better than Metroid Prime 2 for sure. The HUD has been reworked a bit, giving it a more subtle “lock on”. Much design work has been done on the pirates, and the newer 2 types the demo shows are reminiscent of Scizor, but still cool. The demo starts off with Samus having the “light” and “dark” guns, which doesn't make sense, so I'm hoping it's just the fact it's a demo. Game feel was very similar to Metroid Prime, and I'm sure there are some great surprises too.

The bonus disc comes with a preview (including Halo rip-off opening movie), a trailer (snippets of game-play), a demo (not a lot, basically what was displayed at E3), a gallery (including a nifty shot of an updated chozo), and a time line of where the games fit chronologically (including story synopsis).

If you have a GameCube and 5 registrable games (mostly anything published by Nintendo directly since Mario Sunshine) I highly recommend ordering this great freebie. If you don't have a GameCube, go buy one and get Metroid Prime and this bonus disc for free.