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General Discussion / Re: Ereaders

« on: February 23, 2013, 07:19:33 pm »

I have both an iPad Mini and a Samsung Tab 7.7 (ver 1, which is actually a bit smaller than ver 2).   Both are used for ebooks, and both run Bluefire app.  I still avoid Kindle, and Sony's app on those are next to useless in my opinion.

Bluefire does show the covers and graphics on both platforms.   Both are MORE than useable as a book reader, and even the Tab could sync with iTunes for music (and it does multitasking very well too).   I am not disappointed with either device, and while the wife wants to get rid of one, ... I find I'm having a tough time of that.

I *like* their form factors, and yes some things could always be better (on both platforms, mind you) ... but they are nice as they are.   They fulfill their niche of portable entertainment devices in a truly wonderful way.   And they are definitely PORTABLE.  

That said, I'm downloading Kindle and B&N now on my iPad to test them out.    But, another reader you might want to look into ...    Stanza.   It's another multi platform pkg that is good for ebook reading.

One last thing.  Audible books on iPad has been re-written to take better advantage of the screen size and horsepower on the device(s).   Not sure on the interface now, truth be told, but I do purchase Audible books now and then for my long trips to florida and elsewhere in the country.  It's nice to hear a book while driving.  And it puts the kids to sleep really fast in the back of the car so no squabbling.  :-D  LMAO!

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Flotsam and Jetsam / Re: Something new for the watch.

« on: January 09, 2013, 09:31:03 pm »

Is this in any way a multi-player game? 

Yes, but not in the MMO persistent world type of way.   Think more of an old school single person player with network capability.  One computer, whether as a PC set for hosting, or a server specifically dedicated a portion of CPU time, to allow for networking and hosting of the "local network" game.

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General Discussion / Re: Ereaders

« on: December 03, 2012, 05:30:48 am »

Never heard of it.  I'll look for it next weekend when I have time to go digging and playing around with it.   Thanks tho!

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General Discussion / Re: Ereaders

« on: December 03, 2012, 01:56:57 am »

Very true.   You listed teh top points for why my wife keeps the Samsung tab around, ... half the price of my Ipad Mini.  But my mini is able to play my iTunes movies.  So my mini is a mobile entertainment platform with excellent size.  :-D    The android tablets are still pretty good, and the Play store now seems to have movies you can download readily enough ... so it might be a moot point now.

Either way, MY suggestion is to get a moderately higher end tablet, 7 inch factor, and use Bluefire and Kindle software to do the ereading.  From there, you won't be limited if you choose to branch out to other things with your tablet.   :-D

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General Discussion / Re: Ereaders

« on: December 02, 2012, 03:33:21 am »

The eReader software that I'm using specifically is:  Bluefire.   It's cross platform, so you can get it on Android too.  It's awesome.

Let me know if you want to get an idea on what I use my mini for (or even the Samsung Tab, when my wife uses it).   Got some nice apps loaded up on both that are excellent.

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General Discussion / Re: Ereaders

« on: December 02, 2012, 01:17:27 am »

Here is my take on the eReaders currently available.

Sony ereaders.   Love them.  Software is relativelyeasy to use and make purchases.   If you have a complete reinstall, you can re-download your purchased books for no cost.  This is the one I used to use, and the sony's got me thru 22 months in Iraq.   Extremely long battery life.   Downside:  Most of them don't do wi-fi, nor have backlight or any kind of lighting scheme to make it easier to read in low light.  Bring your own flashlight.

Kindle.  I avoided them because they have in the past gone into people's accounts and removed books.  Granted, they DID issue a refund for the book.  However, the endusers were not ASKED, the books were simply ... gone.   Doesn't matter why.  So I like my book accounts disconnected from everyone who might try to control what I can and cannot read.

Apple.   The ipad 3 is decent, and not overly heavy for e-reading.  Mind you, I avoid Apple's proprietary ebook software.   The good news is the IOS platform uses 3rd party software too.   So if you already have a library under Nook, or Kindle, or Sony ... they all can be read on the apple device.   I am now using my Ipad Mini as my book reader.  It's awesome.   Excellent form factor, battery life while reading AND listening to music is excellent, and the screen is of course backlit.

Recommendation:  If you're going to have an IOS platform OR an Android tablet, the stay with it.  They can use the 3rd party software and you save money and don't have an extra device laying around.  (My tablet that my wife uses is a Samsung Galaxy Tab (v1) 7.7 (7 inch screen... she loves it!)

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General Discussion / Donating Spare CPU cycles for Cancer research

« on: September 17, 2012, 02:19:58 am »

Everyone.  I'm not soliciting for anything.  But I just wanted to bring something to the front in regards to a topic that has hurt me directly (my mother died from Cancer), and has probably hurt MANY of you as well.  I don't like being a "Oh, poor me" type of person (oh, ok Zhennu... I do it occassionally. . but only because you give me donuts to make me smile too!  :-D)  But ... I like taking action.

I've been a long time member for World Community Grid.  It's a host application that downloads data sets, parses them, then returns them to the server.  What they are doing is looking for promising new ways to treat or cure various illlnesses and diseases.   There is more than Cancer that is being researched.    Here is a direct link to HOW THE GRID WORKS:   http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/about_us/viewGridComputingBasics.do

Here is a direct link to the Latest News and Updates:    http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/about_us/displayNews.do

We don't have a presence there, but it's easy enough to create one.  However ... if you (like me) want a way to fight back against the illnesses ... it may not be in time for any of us (short term) but maybe for our children.

Main Home Webpage
http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/index.jsp

Thanks for listening.  Please have a great day!   :-D

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Flotsam and Jetsam / Re: Great new Computer... same Old Problems.

« on: August 26, 2012, 07:12:55 pm »

KOTOR2 works on mine.  However, before it WOULD work, I had to do the following:

** When installing game, be sure to install the DX 9 drivers or whatever is on the CD
1)  Patch game up to latest version    (here:   http://www.lucasarts.com/support/     and you'll find links to both KOTOR1 and KOTOR2 patch files)
2)  Set the game executible as running in WINDOWS XP SP3 imitation mode (via right click on the icon, properties, etc)

There was ONE other thing I had to do, and I don't remember right now.   If/when I do, I'll post here.   Otherwise, this might be of use to you:

http://www.lucasarts.com/support/tsg/SWKotORIITableContents.html

Support data files for KOTOR 2 on Lucasarts website.   

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General Discussion / Re: Ask Kayhynn over on EOGamer.com

« on: December 09, 2010, 05:51:03 am »

I know I'm not Kayhynn, so please don't think my answer is the only one.  :-D

But Maximum PC answers your question on a very frequent basis, especially for economical gaming rigs, ... or if you're made of money, the ULTIMATE (as of that printing) gaming rig.  They take it from $600 total to several grand.   I've seen high end over $10,000.   But then, it was a SWEET ride they had.   Talk about future-resistant!  lol

Anyway.   Hit up their website at www.maximumpc. com ... it's always worth a gander.

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General Discussion / Guild Wars Get-Together in Game

« on: December 03, 2010, 05:29:12 am »

I would like to try to get everyone does/has Guild Wars in game for some fun on Sunday (5 Dec) night, around 7pm central time. 

We can figure out about guild halls, at LEAST get alliances going, put everyone on our Friends list, etc.    Mayhap even get a high end quest or two done if you need help.

Let's see what we can start!  :-D