Gear

  • April 6, 2007

    My HDTV

    HDTV

    In my quest for all things tech, I made a serious purchase a few weeks ago. My friend and I were talking about HDTVs and he mentioned he got a good deal for one on ebay. Usually skeptical of purchasing things on ebay, I decided it can’t hurt to look. I searched for the same thing my friend got, a 32″ LCD HDTV. To my surprise I came across this TV. The maximum bid was $225 with 6 minutes left and being sure there was no way I was going to win it, I placed a max bid of $300. As you might have seen, the winning bid was me at $275.

    I’ve got to say while I’m not usually one to do things like this, I am very happy with the TV. It was listed as defective for fuzzy lines at times, but I have seen no problem with it. And while I don’t have HDTV cable service, playing Xbox 360 on it has been incredible. The picture quality and color range is much better. I can see every movement and detail. The gaming experience is much better over all. I was also very happy to see the multitude of A/V connections on the back, including support for a monitor. As we speak, I am using my TV as a dual monitor for my laptop, and can watch TV shows and YouTube videos in full screen on the TV. You would think the large screen would skew the picture, but it does not. It looks just as good, and at a much bigger size.

    Finally, the price was a steal. Here is the same TV on sale at WalMart for $598. I basically paid half price for it. The sellers also offer a 3 year warranty for an extra $40, which I took. The grand total price I paid after shipping was $366. Kudos to Webs Best Deals for the offer and great service. I could not be happier with the TV, even if I might be spending some more money soon for accessories; like an HD-DVD player, for instance.

  • January 18, 2007

    Treo vs. iPhone

    Treo 650

    Today I read a post at Treonauts.com comparing the Treo and iPhone. As a Treo user (and a bit of an Apple hater), I was curious to see what they had to say. While I do find the Treo better, I felt the comparison was pretty biased towards the Treo (even for a site dedicated to Treos). They break the article down into 7 sections pitting the two phones against each other. While I won’t go in-depth, I will touch on what they said.

    Screen Resolution + Input Method (Palm 1: Apple 0): I will agree with them on input method. While it is cool that the iPhone has a touch screen keyboard, and multiTouch technology, there is no replacement for the recoil of a real physical keyboard. Plus in my experience, it’s easier to type on a real keyboard. However, the screen resolution on the iPhone is better. Treo: 320×320, iPhone: 320×480. I would say 1:1 here.

    Operating System (Palm 1: Apple 0): I agree with them here. Palm OS is more open, and more versatile (as we’ve seen so far). However, it’s epic that a phone is running OSX. 2:1

    Storage (Palm 1: Apple 0): It’s also epic that the iPhone will have 4 or 8 GB on board. However, that’s all you get. Treo has SD support, so I can have theoretically as much memory as I want. 3:1

    GSM + Wireless Data + Camera (Palm 0: Apple 2): No question. iPhone wins this bout. 2.0MP camera for a phone is crazy, and WiFi built in. That is something I wish the Treo had. 3:3

    Battery (Palm 1: Apple 0): The battery is removable. Plus, the Treo battery is a tank- I can’t imagine the iPhone having a great battery with the nice screen resolution, WiFi, bluetooth, and Lord knows what else going. 4:3

    Dimensions + Weight (Palm 1: Apple 0): Sorry Treonauts, no matter how you slice it, the iPhone is smaller and weighs less. One thing I wish was different about my Treo is size. The 650 is like a brick. 4:4

    My Overall Thoughts:: I was really impressed with the iPhone when I first saw it. It may be revolutionary. But no keyboard or removable battery is tough. Especially since the iPod has had so many problems. Built in WiFi is awesome. The internet stuff is awesome- better browsing, mail and the adaption of OS widgets is cool. But I love the Palm OS and the freeware you can get for it, it’s awesome battery life and real keyboard. If I had run the same review as the treonauts, the Treo and iPhone would be tied up. BUT, I feel like the Treo is better choice, at least for me. While the iPhone is rich in graphics and media, the Treo I feel is better for practical and general use.

  • January 8, 2007

    Security vs. Usability

    Comp Sec

    A problem that all web developers people in the computer field face is security. When creating your application, website, server, you have to take into account what kind of security measures you must take to protect yourself and your users. However, you have to make sure that these measures don’t horribly inhibit the users. Twice over the last couple of months I have ran into server trouble where I felt the server disallowing certain actions strongly inhibited my ability to create a good website.

    The first occurred in October, while I was creating a website for a client. They wanted to be able to upload images to the server, to add them to the site. This required me to set the permissions on sections of the site to 777 (all can execute). There are numerous web apps out there that do this, and if the programmer does it right, security is not a huge issue. However, the server I was working decided (after years of me using it), they were going to reset the permissions every 6 hours for ‘security’ measures without notifying it’s customers. Never mind that I spent hours debugging a script I knew was working. How can one make a sophisticated web app without being able to change the permissions for more than 6 hours at a time?

    More recently, I am working on a website that would send emails through a php script using the standard mail() function. Only, due to ‘security reasons,’ the mail() function is disabled. Now I cannot report bugs automatically, nor can the user use the current contact form. Sure, the mail() function could be exploited, but so can almost anything when dealing with a scripting language. Are they going to disable SQL in fear of SQL injection statements?

    The point is that if these servers are going to disable certain, very useful functions, what are they providing as an alternative for their users? They are choosing a little bit more security in exchange for strongly inhibiting their users from creating more user driven web applications.

  • November 26, 2006

    Xbox Marketplace gets better

    Xbox Live Marketplace

    One of the selling points of the Xbox 360 was free access to the Xbox Marketplace, where you could download game demos, new levels, trailers, etc. This is called the “Silver Package” on Live. Since November 22nd 2006, one year after the 360 came out, you could also download TV and Movies (available in HD as well). You use Microsoft points to get TV shows like South Park, UFC, The Nine and much more. Movies include V for Vendetta, The Matrix and The Untouchables to name a few. The list of companies partnered with Xbox Live can be found here and the pricing can be found here

    According to Joysig, the prices break down like this:

    • New 720p HD movies- $6
    • New 480p SD movies – $4
    • “Classic” 720p HD movies – $4.50
    • “Classic” 480p SD movies – $3
    • 720p HD television – $3
    • 480p SD television – $2

    Not to shabby if you ask me! I have not tried the service yet, but will most likely post my experience when I do. Later!

  • November 1, 2006

    Creative Zen Vision:M

    Zen

    I recently got the Creative Zen Vision:M for my birthday and I’ve got to say I am very happy with it. It has been about 2 years since I got an mp3 player, and following trends, it was about time for a new one. I needed something first of all, that held more than 5GB. With a music library of over 15GB I’d like to have most/all of my music with me, I needed something that only held 1/3 of what I’ve got. The Zen Vision:M has 30GB. That was my only real requirement, though FM Radio was a nice feature I had tucked away in the back of my mind.

    The Zen Vision:M offers those 2 purposes and so much more. I can store not only music, but video and photos. The video quality is great- the videos appear really clear on the screen. Along with an FM radio it has an FM recorder, something that won’t be around much longer. I can also store files on it if I so desired. The surprising but awesome features include the ability to make play lists right on the device, and synchronization with Outlook (calendar, contacts, tasks). I find it particularly cool because it something I find pretty useful and didn’t think of.

    As for interface design, it is pretty intuitive and their alternative to the beloved iPod click-wheel is a pretty good one. It allows me to quickly cycle through my music collection and easily switch screens. It also comes with a search by letter feature or you can search by keyword with an on screen QWERTY keyboard. The software it comes with is also easy to use, and has a number of great features like Rip CD, Convert Video, and Sync music collection. The battery life is about 8 hours, which is fine for me and I think pretty good in general. The only problem I have found with it is the screen gets pretty scratched up if you don’t protect it. However, it does come with a nice little pouch. All-in-all, a nice device to check out, and a great alternative to the Video iPod. Later!

  • October 8, 2006

    Canon S3 IS

    Canon S3 IS

    A couple of weeks ago I wrote about “the 2 year swing” and my intentions to buy a new digital camera. Since then I purchased the Canon Powershot S3 IS and could not be happier. I liked my Nikon Coolpix 4100 for what it was worth, but the Canon is just so much more powerful, with a multitude of shooting modes and options.

    At about 3x3x4.5 and .91 pounds, it is significantly bigger (albeit slightly lighter) that my 1.5×3.5×2.6 and 1 pound Nikon, but as I mentioned in the previous post, size was not a major factor in the decision. Zoom was the prominent factor, and with 12x Optical Zoom, I went with the right choice. There is also the option of getting newer, more powerful lenses for it, which is absolutely great. Plus, with 6 mega pixel photos, they come out not only close, but clear and crisp. Another great feature about the camera is the amount of shooting modes it has- 12 to switch from, with an number of options to play with on each one. For sports composite, which I used a lot on my Nikon, all I have to do is hold down the button to take as many shots as I want. My favorite shooting mode, however, is the Manual mode.

    Last semester I took a photo class where we learn about how to control the shutter speed, the amount of light that entered the camera, how to utilize the focus and a few other factors essential for good photos. With the Nikon I was not able to put this knowledge into practice. With the Canon not only can I do all of the above, switch between manual presets and control the flash, a simple option that was left out in the making of the Nikon.

    While there is so much more to talk about with my new camera (like the movable, “tumble” screen), I just wanted to touch on my favorite features. If you want to take great, professional looking pictures- this camera might be the best in its price range (~ $400). If you would like to see some pictures I have taken, you can go to my Flickr site and take a look at my Washington DC and [most recent] Yankee Game pictures. Later!

  • September 20, 2006

    The 2 year swing

    It is no secret that I am kind of a tech geek. What this means is I ‘need’ lots of cool gadgets all of the time. This also means I need the most recent gadgets all of the time. Laptops, Digital Cameras, amazing smart phones, etc. What this amounts to is what I call “The 2 year swing.”

    The 2 year swing is a term I came up with for about how long I will keep any given gadget. This summer’s new laptop came approximately 2 year after the tablet PC I had (and still have). My Treo came 2 year after my old phone (which was a matter of circumstance) and last good PDA, and now, almost 2 years to the day after I got my Nikon Coolpix 4100, I am in the market for a new digital camera.

    While I am very happy with the Nikon, and might end up keeping it, I want something more. As I get more and more into photography, I find that in some places my Nikon falls short. Most notably, in Optical Zoom. With 3x Optical Zoom, I am not getting the kind of picture quality I want at some places, like concerts. Last night while shopping around, I found the Canon Powershot S2 IS, with 12x Optical Zoom, and 5 megapixel photos. Based on some of the sample shots I saw, it also has a great shutter speed, which was a major player in me buying the Nikon. While I will need to try out the camera in a store before I buy it, I am looking for something very similar to that. Its only downfall is size, but that is a minor detail for me. Maybe I will see what my friend at Mekosh.Org will do. Later!

  • September 11, 2006

    Seidio INNOdock for the Treo 650

    INNOdock

    Recently, I purchased the Seidio INNOdock, a cradle for my Treo 650. I have been looking for a good cradle pretty much since I got my Treo back in March, and after some research I decided that the INNOdock would be my best bet.

    A must for whatever I bought was it had to connect to the PC and charge the phone at the same time. The INNOdock offers this via one USB cable, as well as a HotSync button on the right side for easy sync. The sleek and unique design makes it so little desktop space is taken up and I have full control of my treo, motion wise.The connector bends backwards, allowing the treo to fit nicely against the rounded back of the cradle. There is also a 3.5mm headphone jack (standard size) on the back of the cradle for head phones, speakers or a hands free set.

    I did run into one problem when trying to sync with my PC. But that was all fixed after I read this discussion board. All in All I am very happy with my new cradle, and I highly recommend it. Later!

  • July 16, 2006

    New Computer

    The New Lappy

    A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about getting a new computer. Well since then, I picked up the Gateway MX6455 Laptop and I couldn’t be happier. It’s much faster than my old one, bigger and lighter, with an incredible display. I have been able to run notepad, my FTP program, Photoshop, an IM client, Windows Media Player, IntelliSync, Firefox with 4-8 tabs and Norton System Works (plus whatever runs in the background) with no problem what-so-ever. And that is just the start.

    The battery life is amazing. Fully Charged, it gets 4 and half hours. EVEN with most of the previously mentioned programs running. And with Media Center, I can organize all of my music, pictures, videos, etc. and link them up to my Xbox 360 to view/listen on my TV. Plus, linked to my Xbox, I am able to watch web content, like Comedy Central’s Mother Load, right on my TV.

    The only thing I am a little disappointed with is that it does not play newer games (it looks terrible). Last night I downloaded the Prey Demo and I couldn’t play it. It would render with an infinite amount of black spots, even at the lowest video settings.

    Everything else about the laptop, though, I love. Four USB ports, an SD/Media Card reader, DVD Burner, etc. This is a great media and development machine, that has an awesome battery and does not run hot. I highly recommend it. Later.

  • June 7, 2006

    New Computer Time

    Superman Notebook

    So it is time for me to buy a new computer. How do I know? I want one. The one pictured is the snazzy new Alienware Superman PC that I really want but cannot afford.

    I do want something more powerful and considered getting a Macbook Pro, with the Intel Core-Duo processors. But I think I am going to go with an Alienware for their superior power, and lack of over heating problem. I will be keeping an eye out for some nice deals- in the mean time, you can let me know what you think! Later!

    UPDATE: I was in Best Buy today (6/10) and saw This Gateway. It has better specs that most of the Alienwares I was looking at and it is 1/2 the price. I have always said Gateways were good machines- they fell off for a little but are now back on track. It looks like I may go with this laptop and it’s awesome specs. An added bonus, it has XP but is Vista capable….