Crysis Custom Configuration Utility

Computer, Crysis, PC, Video Games No Comments »

Crysis PC Custom Config Utility Screenshot

Even if the only gaming you’ve done in the last few years was Tetris on your Motorola RAZR, you’d know that Crysis is one system resource demanding game… even if you have close enough to a “God Box“, Crysis might need a few tweaks to run more than 30 frames per second reliably.

Enter the Cuban Ultima Doom Sword’s CustomCrysisConfig. Yes… that’s the real name of the utility.

The Cuban Ultima Doom Sword’s CustomCrysisConfig allows you to automatically configure Crysis tailored to the performance of your system. What this means is that it goes further than the standard “low-medium-high-very high” settings found inside the Crysis in-game menu.

Head over to Madshrimps to read more about what this utility does and how it’s possibly the one thing you should be downloading at the end of the day. Screenshots are available too.

IM from your mobile phone, no download required

Cellphone, Internet, Wireless No Comments »

Gizmo5 Gizmo Project Mobile IM application that requires no installation

Well, after the Google Talk announcement for the iPhone and iPod Touch Mobile Safari browsers yesterday, Gizmo Project - which until my Nokia N810 I had rarely used since all of my contacts were either on Skype or other IM protocols (MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ) - announced the ability to use IM via your cellphone. Gizmo Project had added the ability to IM AIM, MSN and Yahoo sometime last year or sometime on the PC, so you could still talk to your Gizmo Project contacts, as well as your AIM, MSN, and Yahoo contacts with Google Talk coming very soon.

Well, now they’re doing it for any cellphone, including the iPhone - just tried it and it works. But here’s a warning… it’s sorta spartan in it’s look and doesn’t seem quite yet ready for primetime.

Phillipe Starck designs inexpensive consumer level windmill

Gadgets, Green No Comments »

Phillipe Starck Domestic Windmill

Phillipe “Design is Dead” Starck decided to put his design talent into a stylish windmill that reportedly can offer up to 20-60% of a typical household’s power usage for under $650.00 USD. Teamed up Pramac, a company that specializes in power generation equipment, this might be more real than fantasy.

I at least hope so. For $650.00 or so, I’d gladly buy a windmill to lessen my dependency on the ever stressed electrical grid with my personal ultimate goal to be as far off the grid as possible; even perhaps giving back to the grid, contributing for those that live by the consumers mantra of “Live. Buy. Consume.”

C’mon Starck… make this one happen.

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ZzangOnline, a Casual MMORPG

Computer, Internet, Online, PC, Video Games, aving.net No Comments »

I normally don’t tend to cover video games too often, I’m just too busy playing them with my work and all… yeah… work. Well, along comes the oddly named, ZzangOnline by Korean gaming company, MuhanGame.

ZzangOnline MMORPG Characters

By their own accord, it’s a “casual MMORPG” easy enough for most anybody to pick up, get into, play, kick butt, and have fun… ok, I’m interested. And for once, a cool looking game that didn’t originate from either Europe, the USA or Japan will finally be made available to the gaming populace worldwide.

In an interview with MuhanGames…

Read the rest of this entry »

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Firefox 3 Download Day - Guinness World Record

Computer, Internet, World Events No Comments »

They even sent out a certificate if you signed up a pledge. Hey, it made me feel speshul all warm and fuzzy…

Firefox 3 Download Day Certificate

In the end, 8,002,530 downloads in total. Congrats Mozilla Foundation.

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Openmoko FreeRunner - on sale July 4th

Cellphone, Gadgets, Wireless No Comments »

OpenMoko FreeRunner Open Source Wifi-enabled cellphone

I know what you’re thinking… launching any cellphone immediately before or after the Apple iPhone juggernaut is unleashed on the (now) entire planet on July 11th is folly. If it ain’t from Steve Jobs, fuggedaboutit.

Well, other cellphone companies sell millions of phones still and there’s nothing wrong with choice. Enter the OpenMoko FreeRunner. Previously released in a developers-only version. Now, ready and prepped for the retail market, it brings the following specs:

* Size and Weight
• 4.75 x 2.44 x 0.73 inches
• 6.5 ounces (185 grams)

* Display
• Touch Screen
• 2.8″ VGA (480×640) VGA Screen

* Speed
• ARM9 @ 400 MHz
• 2D/3D Graphics Acceleration

* GSM
• Tri band 850/1800/1900 MHz
• Tri band 900/1800/1900 MHz

* Power
• Removable 1200 mAh battery

* Memory
• 128MB SDRAM
• 256MB NAND Flash
• microSD Slot

* Input and Output
• Input and Output
• 2.5 mm audio jack
• GPS external connector

* Hardware Highlights
• Wi-Fi (802.1 1b/g)
• AGPS
• GPRS (2.5G not EDGE)
• Bluetooth 2.0
• 3axis Motion Sensors (2)

* Software Highlights
• Openmoko GNU/Linux-based
• 100% FOSS on CPU
• GNU/Linux development tools

All for $399 USD. Unlocked, free to use wherever you please. Removeable battery - that’s actually a selling point for me.

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atypyk’s tattoo buttons

Fashion, Unusual No Comments »

ATYPYK Tattoo Buttons

DO WANT.

Seriously, that would be cool though. It looks like a push button on your skin. Definitely will freak people out on the first few glances. Found this via ATYPYK.

How To Replace Memory Heat Spreaders

Computer, DIY, Site Feeds, Tutorial No Comments »

I swear that Tweaktown has a hidden webcam or something in my house. My little Shuttle boxed up computer had some A-Data RAM with some red metal heat spreaders that due to my fondling with the system enough times, it had actually come loose and was not probably properly dispersing heat.

Enter this tutorial about how to replace memory heat spreaders by Tweaktown.

- This will void your warranty!
- Do not attempt this mod unless you can afford to replace the RAM if you happen to break it!
- TweakTown and its associates are not responsible for any damage or harm caused in any way!

It even goes into how to freeze your RAM… you know I have to link that type of action. Wish me luck… perhaps my RAM heatsink replacement operation will go without a hitch.

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iPhone Mania, 10 days and counting.

Cellphone, Finances, Gadgets, Wireless, iPhone No Comments »

Apple iPhone 3G - How much will it really cost in the end?

Where will you be on July 11th? If you’re a red-blooded gadget hound that’s gotta have the absolute newest thing that’s anything from the mind of Steve Jobs and company, it’s more than likely you’ll find your way into a AT&T store for the very first time for a long time. How much will this new wündergadget really cost you though?

AT&T raised the price of the unlimited data from $20 to $30.
The prices this time are $299 and $199, not $599 and $499 - that’s only if you qualify for an upgrade or bought your iPhone 1.0 before July 11th.
Additional lines in the AT&T Family plans are no longer $9.99 for iPhone lines… it’s now $39.99.

Among other things. The good folks over at Dealnews have put together this article called “iPhone 3G: Is $199 a deal?” and over at Engadget has one article called “AT&T announces iPhone 3G pricing plans“.

Both are good reads.

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updates gone wild!

Rambling, Rants No Comments »

Something I’ve been honestly holding off on… updating the look and feel of the blog, updating the method that stories appeared on the site, and above all, update the underpinnings to the site.

With that said, updates have been a bit weird the last couple of days - thanks to all for the e-mails telling me that my site wasn’t showing stories properly - and those will be solved shortly. Promise.

There’s will be no shortage of updates… and in fact I have a few upcoming reviews coming up that will all be posted after the aforementioned updates happen. But for now, pardon the dust… thanks in advance.

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RIAA Joins MPAA In Thinking Proof Isn't Necessary - Groups want to be able to file $150,000 lawsuits without evidence of a crime

Site Feeds, VoIP, broadbandreports.com No Comments »


I’ve recently highlighted several reports showing that the RIAA’s method of identifying and suing P2P users is painfully inaccurate. This was further illuminated by the recent case of Jammie Thomas, a Minnesota woman who was originally ordered to pay $220,000 for making files available via broadband, but may now see a new trial.

Why? Because the Judge has decided that actually showing evidence of a crime might be a good idea. In response to that ruling, a few weeks ago the MPAA publicly stated that they should be able to collect as much as $150,000 in damages from individuals without any real evidence of wrong doing. Says the MPAA:

“Mandating such proof could thus have the pernicious effect of depriving copyright owners of a practical remedy against massive copyright infringement in many instances”

Wired’s Threat Level Blog says the RIAA has now filed their response to the Thomas case, and like the MPAA, apparently the organization feels that that concepts like “evidence” and “proof” are somewhat over-rated:

“Requiring proof of actual transfers would cripple efforts to enforce copyright owners’ rights online and would solely benefit those who seek to freeload off plaintiff’s investment.”

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Additional AT&T iPhone Pricing Details - $600-$700 if you want to avoid a contract

Site Feeds, VoIP, broadbandreports.com No Comments »


AT&T has released additional iPhone pricing details. The third-generation HSDPA-supported iPhone will be available in AT&T Stores starting July 11 at 8 a.m. The $199 (8GB) and $299 (16GB) pricing has conditions: in order to get the reduced pricing, you need to have purchased a first-gen iPhone before July 11, be activating a new customer line with AT&T, or be an existing AT&T customer eligible for phone upgrade (in all cases you’ll need to sign a new two-year contract). AT&T also has this to say:

Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. . . Current AT&T customers who are upgrading to iPhone 3G will pay an $18 upgrade fee and new AT&T customers will pay the standard $36 activation fee.

Should you not want a contract, you’ll need to pay $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB model. AT&T says this option won’t be available at launch, but sometime “in the future.”
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Comcast Unveils New International VoIP Plans - From $4.95 to $9.95 per month

Site Feeds, VoIP, broadbandreports.com No Comments »


Comcast VoIP customers might be interested to note that Comcast this morning unveiled new pricing plans for international calling. The company’s new “Carefree Minutes” plans offer flat-rate calling to more than thirty countries, and come in four different flavors depending where you call most. The company’s “Western Europe 100,” “Mexico 100″ and “Asia 100″ plans cost $4.95 per month, while their “Latin America 100″ plan costs $9.95. The individual countries covered by each plan are broken down in the company’s press release.
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Tuesday Morning Links -

Site Feeds, VoIP, broadbandreports.com No Comments »

T-Mobile claims UKs first national HSUPA mobile broadband service TechDigest.tv
Mobile Internet users are a rare breed SeekBroadband.com
Round 3 in Enron broadband case Chron.com
WiFi Alliance takes on wireless IP telephony MacWorld.co.uk
Google free to offload ‘$1bn’ AOL stake TheRegister.co.uk
Netgear Debuts Open-Source Router Yahoo News
Apple’s fourth Leopard spits out 25 patches TheRegister.co.uk
Vonage Extends Financing Talks, No Deal Yet InformationWeek.com

AT&T, CT Settle Dispute Over 'Lawn Fridges' - Company now happy with ruling over large VRAD installations

Site Feeds, VoIP, broadbandreports.com No Comments »


In May, Connecticut’s DPUC ruled that AT&T must get the approval of landowners and municipalities before it plunks down a controversial VRAD near (or on) a CT resident’s lawn. The fixtures, required for AT&T to offer VDSL & IPTV, have angered home owners in several states who say they erode property values. The DPUC also ruled that AT&T must get retroactive consent from property owners where the cabinets have already been installed.

AT&T initially balked at that last point, but the State last week clarified that retroactive consent is only necessary from homeowners who previously opposed VRAD placement. The Hartford Courant suggests that AT&T and CT have now patched up their differences. While VRAD placement opposition originated among regular citizens, AT&T blames the whole affair on the cable industry:

AT&T saw the DPUC ruling as a victory for U-verse, which has been fighting a politically charged battle that company officials have described as “an attempt from the cable industry to slow us down.” Comcast and the New England Cable and Telecommunications Association, which represents cable providers, declined to comment for this story.

With their previously strained relationship now smooth, AT&T says they’ll continue their $250 million network upgrades in the state, something they claim wouldn’t have happened “if the DPUC had said something different,” according to AT&T spokesman Dave Mancuso.
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