Grateful Gooner

My hard drive is dead, long live my hard drive

// November 20th, 2005 // 14 Comments » // Adventure and Technology

As some of you may know, my Dell Inspiron 5150 began having problems about 6 weeks ago after a massive file transfer from Wooly’s external hard drive. At the time, it seemed that it was strictly an OS issue, and a PC restore, while a pain in the ass, was effective in restoring full functionality.

Well, about two weeks ago, the blue screen of death began re-appearing, and with it a strange grinding noise that I could only surmise to be the hard drive. I was however, able to get the laptop to work again, and did not hear the grind for some time. Then, on Friday, the candle ran out. The machine will not boot to Windows at all.

I ran the pre-boot diagnostic, and sure enough, it failed the DST Short Status Test. Error code: 1000-0142, Unit 4: Drive Self Test Failed. Status byte = 49.

I called Dell, and they confirmed that my warranty expired on August 24. It looks now like I’m in the market for a new 60GB (or larger) hard drive. Any suggestions?

Watch YOUR TV anywhere in the world

// November 9th, 2005 // No Comments » // Technology

I was listening to the “Word Soccer Daily” podcast yesterday when Nick and Steven started talking about a new device that allows you to watch your TV from anywhere in the world. It sounded intriguing, so I checked out the website….

From slingmedia.com:

Slingbox is powered by a high-performance digital signal processor from Texas Instruments, and leverages Microsoft’s latest Windows Media Video technologies to provide superior video quality. Plus, our engineering dudes developed the SlingStream optimization algorithms that automatically adapt to changing network conditions. This means that we can give you the best video quality consistently, personalized to your connection. Our variety of S-Video, Coax, and Composite RCA inputs allows you to hook up basically anything you want to a Slingbox, and sling that signal around the world. Right now, the software works with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/MCE computers, and we will be introducing Pocket PC, Smartphone, and Macintosh-compatible versions in the coming months.

Damn, does this thing sound cool! Next time I have $237 bucks to spare, I may just have to buy one!

Apple Unveil New iPod

// October 12th, 2005 // No Comments » // Technology

From apple.com:

Time for the world’s best music player to take the stage for another encore. In 30GB and 60GB(1) models that hold up to 15,000(2) songs, full-color album art and up to 25,000 photos(3), the new iPod makes the most of your music and more. Yeah, you’ve heard that tune before. Only now, you can watch it, too. With support for up to 150 hours(4) of video and a 2.5-inch color display, the new iPod lets you take music videos and TV shows on the road…

…Playing your iPod is only half the fun. Try filling it with downloads from the iTunes Music Store. Choose from over 2 million songs, 20,000 podcasts, 2,000 music videos or your favorite ABC and Disney television shows, download them to your Mac or PC and sync them to your iPod. Add an optional audio cable to play music from the iPod to your home stereo or use an optional S-video cable with iPod to play VJ on your TV. You can perform the same big-screen feat with iPod photo slideshows. Oh, and you can do it all from across the room using the optional Universal Dock and handy new Apple remote.

Oh, how my buddy Joel is dancing in the streets. He’s been waiting for the release of the new iPod for some time, as his old one is on on the fritz. To have the video capability is absolutely awesome.

Firefox Update

// September 21st, 2005 // No Comments » // Technology

Dave gave me a heads up this afternoon that the latest update of Firefox was released today. To download, click here.

Another case of life imitating art, this time involving Microsoft?

// March 4th, 2005 // 4 Comments » // Books and Technology

Is Microsoft turning to Hogwarts for inspiration?

I found this link posted on Boing Boing referencing an article from a recent issue of the Seattle Times

“Microsoft researchers have put a new twist on telling time, creating a digital wall clock with hands for each member of the family. Instead of numbers, the hands point to places – work, school, home – and can track a person’s location to show where he or she is at any time. Not good for teenagers, perhaps, but something parents might find interesting. Don’t expect to buy the clock in stores anytime soon. That invention, and hundreds of others, were on display yesterday at Microsoft’s annual science fair of the most futuristic ideas from the company’s research division. Microsoft Techfest, as it is called, is designed to expose employees to projects being developed in Redmond and Microsoft laboratories around the world. Employees have a hard time following who is working on what in such a large company, and Techfest tries to connect some and inspire others.”

What’s next, “The Whomping Willow Home Security System”?

An offer you can’t refuse…

// March 3rd, 2005 // No Comments » // Technology

EA Games recently announced their latest tie-in release, “The Godfather.” It looks to be an incredible game, made in complete cooperation with Paramount Pictures. In fact, “All character likenesses from the movie will be included, and lending their voices to add a dramatic and cinematic touch to the game are the late Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, James Caan as Sonny Corleone and Robert Duvall as consigliere Tom Hagen.”

To join the family, check out EA Games