Mac Mini = Dead. Do I get my wish?

The Mac Mini is dead. Now are they going to replace it? And will their replacement be exactly what I am looking for? Well if I were designing my very own Mac here is what it would look like.

It would cost $1400-1800 (CDN - which I need to specify since the Canuckian dollar is falling again).

It would have this case:

And it would be speced like this! 

Actually I prefer to see one of the new Intel Core2Quads, around 2.6-2.8 GHz and a 4gigs of ram and 750MB hard drive.

What are the chances that Apple delivers on my wishes? About as much chance as the iPhone having push GMail before 2009! Damn near none.

I really hope that Apple does choose to somewhat close my perceived gap in their Mac line. Of course it still does not guarantee that I will be willing to pay the ‘Apple Tax’. Still they should try!

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology 1 Comment » October 2008

Calling Apple Afficienados - Need Advice.

I have never before considered buy a Mac as my primary home machine. For the longest time I required a Windows development evironment, and with the primarly web development I am doing at home, I still need an IE testing environment. Couple that with the increased cost and it just didn’t seem feasible.

Having said that, I now have 2 machines, and I am looking at adding a 3rd. 

My machines are:

• Work laptop, running XP. Quite powerful, but I don’t have free reign to install all the software I would like on it.
• Home desktop. About 4-5 years old now. P4 3.2 gHz, 2 gigs of ram, also running XP. 

My home has had some hard ware issues as of late, and needs to be replaced as my primary machine. I am planning on keeping it and would like to install a linux distro on it, I am leaning towards ubuntu. 

Now as more and more computing gets done at work, my home machine gets used for a good deal less. Programs that I run on it, and would like to continue running on it are pretty limited:

• AMP - Apache, MySQl, PHP
• Eclipse
• iTunes
• Firefox or Chrome
• Photoshop
• Premiere Pro (or Final Cut Pro, etc…)

When I look at that list, and see that my machine is mainly used for web surfing, listening to music, some web dev, and photo/video editing, I start to consider getting a Mac. It would be better for the photo/video editing, about the same for web browsing -maybe a little safer, and a little worse for web development. Although I could install the AMP on linux machine, it is not out of the question on a Mac. It would also be nice to have 3 different OSes for testing purposes.

Now having said all this, I stared looking at the Apple store and was somewhat shocked. It didn’t look like there was anything that fit the bill for me. Basically I was looking for a pretty powerful desktop machine for around $1,500 or less, as I could easily spec a Windows box for that. It looks like the only option is an iMac. I was hoping to not buy a monitor in the same purchase, and I don’t really like having my entire machine in one sleak case. I already have 20″, and 22″ Samsung monitors. I also have bad luck, and my stuff tends to break. The easier it is to replace components the better. So I’m feeling very iffy on an iMac. 

The Mac Pro is right out of what I am willing to spend on a box. So is a Mac Book Pro, and I don’t really want another laptop, but that seems like it may be a (very expensive) solution.

Now it has been suggested that I build myself a Hackintosh, but that kinda defeats the purpose. I want to get a Mac to have less hassel, and frankly a project like that is not the cards for me (and my lazy ass) at the moment.

So is it just the way things seem? Is there nothing in the Mac line that suits my needs? Is a Mac that much improved over a Windows box for photo/video editing? What would you Mac Afficeanados suggest in my case?

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology 3 Comments » October 2008

New Flash Player (10)!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get it here: Flash Player

Preliminary tests show that it fixes the video bug where YouTube and other Flash based videos stop after 2 secs.

This is a huge deal for me, as  I hate having to use IE. 

My problems with the Flash 10 Beta also seem to be gone. This is a great day. Chrome/Firefox users I would recommend grabbing it now.

 

 

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology No Comments » October 2008

Screw You Flash!

Adobe makes (usually) great products. I am a huge fan of Photoshop and Premiere Pro. But the flash player sucks.

The flash player is so bad, the flash player is a monkey that shits in a bucket, and then throws shit at you, and then mocks you for being covered in shit. It is a system hog, any page that uses flash runs my system (dual core 4 gigs of ram) up to processing limits while it loads. But that isn’t where the suck comes in…

The suck comes in that it is a buggy piece of crap!

The current version of flash for Firefox (if you are using IE well that is just another different shit throwing monkey ball of suck) won’t work with Youtube videos. Great eh?

The video stops after 2 seconds (perhaps a keyframe issue since you can skip forward).

It is actually a bug in flash itself. This is not limited to windows either.

Mozilla Support Forum

Ubuntu Forums

This is a problem in Flash versions after 9.0r47.

There are several solutions posted from copying a file to the plugins directory of Firefox, this does not work for me, or downgrading (no dice security concerns), or upgrading to the version 10 beta of flash. There are lots of bugs that I have found with this.

This is an old problem, it is time for Adobe to get their shit together and come up with a real fix for this problem. As for developers, think twice before using flash, because if I have to use IE to view your page, I will probably just skip your page.

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology No Comments » August 2008

File This Under Bad Idea: WASP Knife

Getting stabbed sounds bad… but what if the knife explodes you? What the crap????

WASP Knife does just that. From their website:

As divers, we all know what the effects of compressed gas are underwater. Our training teaches us that our lungs would burst from over-inflation if we held our breath and rose to the surface. This principle is key to the effectiveness of the WASP Injection System.

This weapon injects a freezing cold ball of compressed gas, approximately the size of a basketball, at 800psi nearly instantly. The effects of this injection will drop many of the world’s largest land predators. The effects of the compressed gas not only cause over-inflation during ascent when used underwater, but also freezes all tissues and organs surrounding the point of injection on land or at sea. When used underwater, the injected gas carries the predator to the surface BEFORE blood is released into the water. Thus giving the diver added protection by diverting other potential predators to the surface.

Bayonets were made illegal for their brutal actions, but they didn’t explode you… but I guess… they could now!

This just seems like a bad idea, watch what it does to a watermelon!

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology 1 Comment » July 2008

Wiiste of Money: Part 2

At E3 (some gaming thing I think), Ninento announced a new motion-plus sensor add-on for the wii-mote. It makes the movements 1-1. Supposed to make control wayyyy better.

It comes with Wii Sports 2 (Resort) which won’t work without it. Yay, more addons for the Wii. Sure… fine… great… The games are getting better. I like that, since my biggest complaint is the games don’t compare to the xBox/PS3 or I just don’t like them. Wii Sports as I said earlier is awesome, so another Wii sports is great.

Drops The Ball

So another good game is coming out… but wait… ONLY ONE GAME IS COMING OUT. Nintendo failed to notify third party developers that motion plus was coming out. The developers found out about motionplus the same time the rest of us did. Know what that means? Another sample game (Wii Sports Resort) will be the only game to use motionplus for some time.

The problem with a lack of quality titles for the wii is only going to increase. Nuts to you Nofriendo!

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology No Comments » July 2008

I Wasted My Money On A Nintendo Wii

I bought Alanna a wii as an early birthday present, as I thought it would be really fun for us to play together and with friends. Would I go through with the purchase again?

Hell no.

In fact, I am really tempted to sell it. I am not a gamer by any stretch of the imagination, but I like these new party style games. Wii Sports is a perfect example, but the games I really love are the Rock Band/Guitar Hero style of games.

First let me start with Wii Sports, it is fun to play with friends, but I tire of it quickly. The mini games, are for the most part fun, but very limited.

The tennis is the best gameplay of the sports. The only problem is that the longest you can play is best 3 of 5 games. You can’t even play a full set. Its a very cool demo at most.

Baseball sucks. No defense, no intangibles, its hitting and pitching and nothing else.

Bowling is probably the best game. You get to play a full game, which is very nice, it actually feels like bowling!

Golf is my favorite. The game action is very cool having to hit with the right force and read the wind. The problem is that once again it lives in demo territory. There are only 4 clubs, 9 holes, and not much else.

Boxing. I’m not a fan, gameplay is iffy, as its tough to tell exactly what you are doing. I don’t ever play it.

Now wii sports is the best example of wii gameplay, but after 1 week I am getting bored with it. I am looking at some of the other sports games, but they don’t seem to be the same. For instance TopSpin 3 (tennis) makes you control the player with the numchuk, it makes it more of a gamer type game. Tiger Woods golf may be a saving grace, I am going to rent that this week.

Now the saving grace… The music games. No wait. They are a giant ripoff.

Rock Band is a perfect example. The PS2 version is $100, the XBOX/PS3/Wii versions are $170. The wii features match the PS2 version. Gah. The main kicker for me (and the reason I am returning Rock Band) is that there is no song downloads! Instead they try to sell you song discs. That is $30 for a bunch of songs, but I really only want 4 of the songs, and is $7.50 + tax per song. No way. Rock Band goes back.

Now what happens with the wii, I think Alanna wants to keep it, and it is her present, so I am fine keeping it, but unfortunately I am goign to have to spend another $500 to get a 360 and Rock Band, although I may wait to get Rock Band 2, and just buy the Rock Band 1 game. There should be good interoperability.

So in short, the wii is a big money waste. If you are a happy spending $500 for wii sports, then its fine, but there isn’t much else.

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology 1 Comment » July 2008

Screwing Over By The Telcos Continues: Txt Msg Version

Jim Prentice has asked the Telcos to explain their new text message money theft scheme.

Well here is the low down, you need to pay for incoming text messages, even spam. Can you turn off text messages? No. So there is a potential cost that could be quite large. As you look at the situation more closely you realize that this is a charge that the consumer has no control over. You can’t stop them, you haven’t requested them, there is no pay per use on this.

Further complicating things, is that it is possible to send text messages pretty well free of charge. Example, Bell allows SMS messages to be sent through email addresses:

XXXXXXXXXX@txt.bell.ca

So in theory, you could send 1000 emails to that message inbox, and it would cost the customer $150 -$0.15 per message. Nice system eh? The customer can’t block it, and the only way to protect themselves is to buy a text messaging plan. This is a scam of astronomical proportions and I am very glad that the industry minister has focused on this!

 

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Technology 2 Comments » July 2008

Slagging Other Companies Goods

Yesterday I went to AudioTronic on Merivale Road in Ottawa to price some receivers to see how the local price would compare to ordering from the states (I’m ordering from the states).

He was asking what speakers I would be using…

For the past few months I have been researching speakers, I have narrowed down my decision to Paradigm, PSB, Aperion, Elemental Designs, and Axiom Audio. I want to listen to at least 3 of those (preferably in house) to get a better idea of what I want. Pretty much all of the systems will be in the near Audiophile calibre and will cost somewhere in excess of $2,000.

I am actually leaning towards Paradigm, PSB, and Axiom since those 3 companies are Canadian have all been around for many years and all have a good reputation. Speakers are very personal item, and are somewhat dependent on your room, and other componentry.

I will be trying Axiom as they offer a 30 day money back guarantee, and while you have to pay for return shipping yourself, my cottage is near their office, so I would be able to return the speakers myself if I choose. Couple that with the fact that they are about half the price as the other two Canadian contenders and it seems that they will be the first ones I try.

…back to Audiotronic. I told the sales guy that I was leaning towards Axiom speakers. His reply: ‘You know those are crap?’

What constructive criticism. He doesn’t sell them so they obviously are terrible. I asked about auditioning some of the speakers he does sell, in my home. He basically refused, or said I may be able to take some speakers they have on the floor for an afternoon. Very apparent that he doesn’t stand by his speakers which aren’t ‘crap’. I asked him how much the setup that I was considering from paradigm would be and he told me $4000, more than double what I was looking at from Axiom. Nothing against Paradigm, but this guy at Audiotronic really turned me off his store. Oh well… back to those who pride themselves on service.

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Everything, Technology 1 Comment » April 2008

HD World…

Everything HD, all the time. That is the way is should be.

Last night I kept flipping back from the SD hockey game to the HD baseball game. Its so hard to watch SD content now. As I was watching the baseball game a commercial came on. It was a commercial for the JVC Everio HD Camcorder. I was thinking to myself: Well that is a toy that I should have!

But wait… This commercial with the smiley baby and big hair is in standard definition. Why would a company trying to attract HD users on an HD channel not shoot their commercial in HD. I mean, its a commercial and most commercials are still in SD, but really if you are trying to sell an HD accessory you would think you could advertise it well in HD.

Still looks like a toy I would want…

 

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Posted by Tyler Posted in: Everything, Personal Life, Technology 1 Comment » April 2008

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