# Tuesday, March 13, 2007
# Monday, March 12, 2007

Thunderbird Oddness

Been using the Thunderbird for a while now, but this only came up today, each time I replied it put my reply at the bottom of the email and not the top, but it only started today. Searched all through the settings, and I couldn't find squat.

    1. In Thunderbird: Go to "Account Settings"
    2. Select "Composition & Addressing" for the account in question
    3. Check the checkbox in the Composition group that says "Automatically quote the original message when replying".
    4. Once the combo box below is enabled select the option "Start my reply above the quote"

[ Replies Append to Bottom in Thunderbird at Elliot Lee ]

That proves it, my old settings had been imported from Outlook Express, and it was smart enough to duplicate that behavior. I had removed and readded an account today, and it picked up the default, which is a crazy "reply after" that would force everyone to scroll to read the new part of the email.

#    Comments [0] |
# Saturday, March 10, 2007

Smooth Transition onto the Wii

I'm a big fan of Warioware. The first game was super, mostly because it was so novel. Still a great reason to own a GBA. Then the series tried to move into a party game on the GameCube, a GBA game with tilt feature, and a DS game using it's unique interface. None came close to the first game, least of all Warioware: Twisted.


photo by jeroen020

The Wiimote has quite a few new ways to interact, and the Warioware team has worked late nights to try and use it to it's fullness. Each mini-game requires you to hold the wiimote in a starting form and then play the quick, usually under 3 second, mini game. Each time a new form is learned, there is a cheesy little intro which reminds me of Jack Handey a bit, and that's a good thing.

Since each form results in its own gimmicks, this game has a ton of new gimmicks, and with a Warioware title, it's all about the gimmicks. Eventually after playing through the "story" you unlock multi-player and some games that use the nunchuck, which thankfully aren't mixed in requiring people to frantically plug and unplug the nunchuck attachment.


Warioware: Smooth Moves
Nintendo Wii
Nintendo
Everyone
B

#    Comments [3] |

What was Sega thinking?

I have never owned a Sega console, and I don't get nostalgia over Sonic games. Perhaps that is why I never made it through the training levels on this one. The controls are just crazy, and would most likely have me throwing out my arm, or breaking up my living room. There seemed to be a descent story to this game, and maybe even one I could follow this time, but I'll never know because I just couldn't control the little Blue Hedgehog.


Sonic And The Secret Rings
Nintendo Wii
Sega of America, Inc.
Everyone
D-

#    Comments [0] |
# Thursday, March 08, 2007

Thanks Congress!

Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time (DST) will be extended in the United States. DST will start on March 11, 2007, which is three weeks earlier than usual, and it will end on November 4, 2007, which is one week later than usual. This results in a new DST period that is four weeks longer than in previous years. Unless certain updates are applied to your computer, the time zone settings for your computer's system clock may be incorrect during this four-week period. In particular, you must make sure that both your Windows operating system and your calendar programs are updated.

[ Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center ]

Can't we all just agree that Daylight Savings is stupid and be done with it? Though if we don't all install these updates, we'll likely all die!

#    Comments [1] |
# Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Best. Zelda. Ever.

A truly wonderful gaming experience.

Certainly highlights the new gaming interface dubbed the Wiimote. Had plenty of great returns from many games of the past, plus has many new surprises. The final battle could have been a bit harder, but the story well made up for it. Though all things being judged equally, i.e. if Ocarina of Time had been relased on the Wii with updated graphics and the Wiimote, it would likely be better. Though I still think the most stunning level was Hyrule Castle in Wind Waker, it had such a great atmosphere.

Next up? Phantom Hourglass, due out any day now, and I'm rather eager to play.


The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Nintendo Wii
Nintendo of America
Teen
A+

#    Comments [0] |

Why don't I live in London?

...e-mail and messaging services automatically update your Outlook data. Precise navigation by means of GPS guidance. It enables you also to make Voice over IP (VoIP) phone calls...

[ Pocket LOOX T Series - Handhelds - Fujitsu Siemens Computers ]

And, 6 months after release, still not available in the US. I have simple needs:

  1. Windows Mobile
  2. Keyboard
  3. GPS
  4. Decent battery

Is that too much to ask, T-Mobile? I love the Dash, but no GPS, and it's on "SmartPhone" and not actual Windows Mobile...

#    Comments [1] |
# Friday, March 02, 2007

I want one

BASF unveiled this impressive "Near-Zero Energy Home" recently. The home has three systems (solar, air conditioning, building envelope) integrated together to make it 80% more efficient than a typical home.

[ BASF Goes Platinum With "Near-Zero Energy Home" (TreeHugger) ]

Green housing that is super cute!

#    Comments [1] |
# Friday, February 23, 2007

I have a Jerker 2.0?

one of the questions i get quite a lot is on cable management. hiding those ugly wires is always a challenge. while you may not be able to get rid of them all, mike seymour's cable management hack for his jerker v1 desk does at least lift most of them off the floor.

[ ikea hacker: jerker desk cable management hack ]

Cool idea, but his Jerker doesn't look like mine. Mine is the Jerker computer desk, and looks like this:

Oddly enough mine doesn't have the split "hide a cable" piece, and it's just a full solid stabilization bar.

I, however, have jacked the desk part up to be comfortable to type when standing, and purchase a bar stool height chair. I then moved the little shelf below the desk part where I store all of my power strips and stuff, and when it all comes together it looks a bit more like this:

#    Comments [2] |
# Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Plug for GameFly again

GameFly is the leading online video game rental service. With a choice of more than 4,000 titles, GameFly delivers the widest selection and availability of games for the Playstation 3, Playstation 2, PSP, Xbox 360, Xbox, Wii, GameCube, Nintendo DS and GameBoy Advance without the hassle of due dates or late fees.

GameFly ]

If you haven't tried it out yet, please do. I think that they will give you a 14 day trial or some such, and then if you sign up (and some other folks) via my link, they'll send me a shiny new DS Lite.

'course I doubt that many people read this blog, but I'll plug GameFly for a song. Except for the rare exception (Zelda Twilight Princess - just to make sure, and Wario Ware Smooth Moves - 'cause it was next to the Wii) I buy all of my games from GameFly. The shipping is a bit slow from Cali, but I get to try every game before making the commitment, and if the game isn't too old, they'll always sell me a copy at a discount. Plus if I just went out buying games, I'd end up with games, still in the shrinkwrap, never played...

#    Comments [0] |
# Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Got it!

Thanks Wii @ Target page on Crayz dot org!

Earlier today I noticed that the Wii was "Available" or "Limited Availability" at Rockville, Wheaton, Germantown, etc. etc. However when called all said they were out. Wheaton was rude. Germantown confirmed 25 Wiis earlier today, all sold out. Gaithersburg? Still "Out of Stock", so I called. The official word "Don't have any, don't know when they will come in", and they didn't get any today. I figured that just meant their shipment or stock boy was slower, and that they'd pop up any time. So I refreshed and refreshed and refreshed and finally at 5pm (hours after the rest of the Targets) Gaithersburg (read: Washintonian Center AKA the Rio) had them! I jumped in the car, drove quickly, and voila! I am the proud owner of a Wii.

#    Comments [2] |

There is an XBox 360 in my future...

I'm not giving up on the Wii, and I'm still the Nintendo fan boy, but clearly there is a 360 in my future:

Banjo Kazooie 360!

Kameo looked cool but short, Viva Pinata might even entertain for an afternoon, but Banjo Kazooie 3? That's the killer app that will get me to buy a 360, I'm sure. Of course I'll wait for the Zephyr, but I can see it in my future...

#    Comments [0] |
# Thursday, February 15, 2007

No Google Maps Mobile for me...

But now I don't care, I gots me Live Search on my PDA-Phone.

Not sure if or how it works on Windows Smart Phone, I'll try to get Yaty to install it and see if it's as cool on her phone as it is on mine.

#    Comments [0] |

gDiapers fit video

So we're trying the gDiapers in an attempt to be good caretakers of the earth and all, but their website has videos that just don't show for me. I'm not sure what is wrong, I upgraded my quicktime, but nothing. So with a tiny bit of hacking, here's the "fit" video directly (without the irritating pop up window jobby):

Now, if you know this lady, and have a kid about the age of this one, perhaps downloading this video and saving it for future total embarassment potential is a good idea. I think, however, his folks will be embarssing him themselves.

The first 2 videos are Flash, so I'm assuming they'll work fine for everyone, there is a flushing video, however, you may want to watch as well.

#    Comments [0] |