Caffeinated Pixels - All Entries
My Homebrew Vacuum Tube iPod Stereo Amplifier and Speakers
Audiophiles and hamfest regulars concur... vacuum tubes simply produce the best audio for your stereo setup. Why? I can't give you the technical explanation, I'm neither an audio engineer nor a self-labelled stereophile. I can't say that I'm opinionated one way or another as to whether vacuum tubes sound "better" than solid state. Why I Love Vacuum Tubes What I will profess, however, is that tube-based electronics exude a Fallout-eque, 1940's chic and mystique that new-fangled, button-ridden solid state products simply cannot emulate no matter how hard they try. I got turned on to tube amplifiers when I was in the home audio business, selling home theater products for a living. I found that most of the speakers I dealt with didn't really appeal to me, and frankly, were just too expensive. After months of searching, I finally found the love of my audio life at a rickety, disorganized audio... More »
Last Post: November 19, 2009 8:52 PM by Peter Redmer
Evernote Review - A Perfect Compliment To Post-Its
Yeah, I'm that guy. That guy that has Post-It notes scattered all over his monitor and desk, of all different colors. I'll grab a piece, jot down a note, only to complete the task minutes later and throw away the note. I'll think of something when I get a glass of water at 2AM, jot it down on my work desk, and go back to bed. Since I can make these notes so quickly, and I'm so obsessive about it, it really boosts my productivity. I don't forget things nearly as often, and frankly, I have about 1,000 things to remember at any given time, so that says a lot. My note-taking has helped me amplify my multi-tasking and prioritizing abilities, too. See, in my opinion, you can't replace the quick, jot-it-down, in-your-face nature of the Post-It. Whether you do it with paper, Stickies on a Mac or Vista Gadgets... More »
Why Wii Fit Will Never Replace DDR
Yeah, I was fat. Really fat. Do you like scary transformation photos? Keep readin'. So, you're no doubt hearing a lot of buzz about the Wii Fit these days. It's made a splash, selling huge amounts of copies since its launch, and has a promising community aspect as well. I think the idea of sharing Wii Fitness results online is compelling and could be a lot of fun - I envision positive places, where users cheer each other on to become healthier. (Of course, in an ideal world, that's what would be nice. More accurately, you may hear "pick it up, fatty" or similar insults, from trollers and general ne'er do wells. Oh well, it's human nature, I suppose.) So, have I bought into the Wii Fit hysteria? Of course, I haven't tried it yet, but I'd really like to. According to Wikipedia , there are four aspects to the... More »
Last Post: October 20, 2008 3:38 AM by garcianicky
Pre-ness Envy: Will iPhone Users Defect to Palm's Shiny New Superstar?
I hate it when new cellphones come out. Even if I'm happy with the one I already own, I inevitably lust after whatever's new, eagerly rationalizing the extra costs involved, and at some points in the past, even considered owning two phones (and on two occasions, actually did.) Which is, like poodles and most vacations to Vegas, wasteful yet entertaining. As such, here begins a new chapter in my endless gadgetry novel... the Palm Pre . I'm seriously wondering whether Apple/AT&T is going to lose some customers over this little beauty... there's a lot that it does that's really tempting. Here's some of the reasons why I (and probably others) would consider defecting to the Palm-side... Multitasking Duh! I could multitask on an old Windows 95 computer, why can't I do it on my iPhone? The Pre allows you to have multiple apps open, drag stuff between each, have more... More »
Last Post: June 16, 2009 10:41 PM by Jeff Block
Review of The Hit List for Mac OS X: A New GTD App
It's really no big secret at all that I love to stay organized... I've blogged about it in the past, and use multiple tools to keep all my ducks in a row. Yes, my day isn't complete without a Sheldon-esque , meticulously organized and purposed list of to-dos... not to the point of insanity (like our favorite nuclear physicist) but to help me stay organized and productive. At least that's what I tell myself. Regardless, I've been using Evernote to manage my lists up until this point, due to it's free-ness, browser based interface that can be accessed from any machine, and its ease of use. However, it's being usurped by another comely, aggressively simple and functional app after my heart... The Hit List. This little beauty by the Potion Factory was available as part of the ( controversial ) MacHeist bundle, and it's still in beta. Let me tell... More »
Last Post: August 26, 2009 11:53 AM by Chris A
Best Sites and Apps For Reading News On Your iPhone
I'll confess... I've been a little obsessed with the news lately. What with the recent presidential election and the ongoing financial disaster, it seems only natural to be more interested in tailing current events than ever. It took a while for me to truly jump on board, but once I got all my RSS feeds up and running, synced with NetNewsWire, and ready to go, I'm a virtual dumping ground for all things headline. Tech, finance, and world news updates pour into my reader(s) faster than bailout money into AIG's coffers, and I can barely keep up. That being said, I'm fortunate enough to possess one of the best mobile news readers around: the iPhone. I simply can't imagine that any other mobile phone out there can keep up. With the selection of news apps available via the App Store combined with "iPhone friendly" websites, you've got an unstoppable combination.... More »
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iPhone + Apps Store = Second Honeymoon
Well, I needed something to do as I sit here feverishly awaiting the "go-live" of MobileMe. I've been playing with the new App Store today thanks to friends who provided me with the MobileMe installation package and iPhone 2.0 firmware package. After a brief scare that I may have bricked my precious, I realized I needed to upgrade iTunes to the newest version before I could re-flash. (Read: almost epic fail.) But once I knew all was well, and first tried it out, it was bliss. Like a taste of cool water after trudging through the desert, or that first glimpse of sun after a ridiculously long winter, the release of the App Store has rejuvenated my relationship with this little candy bar. I'm excited even now that my phone has instantly become about twelve times as functional and at least twice as fun... but even more excited that (#1)... More »
Last Post: July 14, 2008 11:24 PM by Peter Redmer
Retro Game Review: Bionic Commando
I know I'm a little late for the XBOX Live party. I was pretty reluctant to sign up for an account, partly because I don't want to get addicted and have another monthly fee on my account. However, I remained intrigued by the prospect of the Live Arcade, since I love indie games and would eventually be interested in downloading some. With the recent announcements of Braid and other hot indie games, I decided to check it out. The most interesting to me right now is the relatively recently released Bionic Commando: Rearmed . It looks like a really faithful re-design of the original and the videos just look awesome (the metal version of the theme song is sublime, BTW.) I haven't yet downloaded it, but I hope to soon. I think it was an interesting choice of redux due to the limited popularity of the original, but what a... More »
Last Post: October 22, 2008 9:40 AM by Matt Whitlock
Opinions Of Google Android, From an iPhone User's Perspective
If you've been reading the news, active in the blogosphere, or are just into technology in general, there's no doubt that you've heard about the T-Mobile G1 - the first mobile phone being sold and packaged with Google's Android operating system. I've been waiting for a new cellphone OS to come out for a long time, like, you know, since the iPhone was released... it seems so long ago. Maybe I'm just addicted to phones. Apparently, I have "iSyndrome," according to one of my closest colleagues. But, I digress. Since I'm really into mobile tech, I just have to weigh in with my opinions on the G1 and Android in general. I haven't had the privilege of playing with Android in person, so everything I'm about to say is based on what I've read and seen. I'd love to hear comments from people who actually own the phone. I may... More »
Last Post: October 6, 2008 2:03 PM by Cliff Owen
Who Needs A Landline? Top 5 Reasons Why Skype Totally Rules
Conference calls, talking to my friends and co-workers, and a relatively small minutes plan from AT&T have led to my rapid burning-through of rollover minutes. Seeing my stash deplete like leftover Chinese food foolishly forgotten and left unattended in the fridge, I decided to make a radical move: get Skype. Why was this radical, you say? Well, I had heard that, in some situations, the quality is questionable. In others, call drops have been experienced. In other words, I had been hearing from all angles that the service is sketchy. Let me tell you - for the past few weeks, it has been GREAT, and I'd like to tell you the top reasons why I'm so pleased with my first experiences with Skype. #5. For a geek, it isn't so bad to not have a true landline Let's face it, I'm always on my computer. I don't care that I... More »
Last Post: October 7, 2008 1:55 PM by SoItGoes213
Roguelikes Return with New Titles for Nintendo DS, Wii, and PS2
Were you ever an @? Sounds like a silly question, unless you ever played a "roguelike" game way, way back in the day. If you know... you know. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, have you ever played Diablo? If so, then you've tasted the pure joyness that this style of dungeon crawling game can bring. What's a Roguelike? It all started with a game called Rogue , a Unix favorite. Surprisingly simple but with incredible depth, the graphics are primitive ASCII characters... your hero denoted by an @, and monsters and items symbolized by various letters and characters. You were tasked with the overwhelming duty of retreiving the Amulet of Yendor at the bottom of the dungeon, and then returning to the surface. This early graphical adventure spawned numerous derivatives, including Moria, iLarn, Hack, NetHack, and others. What Makes A Roguelike Unique? Almost everyone has played... More »
Apple Announcements: iTunes 9, iPhone OS 3.1.1, new iPods, and More
In a moment greeted with much applause , Steve Jobs made his grand re-entry to the stage today, complete with glowing smile (and a brand new liver.) What a great way to preface some fresh new announcements, eh? Frankly, I'm not going to cover the minutiae of each and every announcement ( you can follow a liveblog that covers EVERYTHING here ) but rather, what I feel is most significant or that really stands out. iTunes 9 Since it's the software I use for managing my music library, I'm always looking forward to iTunes updates. I know I'm not the only one, as it's an incredibly popular software suite. Notable in iTunes 9 are the new Genius playlists and Home Sharing, which allows you to "natively" share libraries across computers in your home network. iTunes Store I personally consider this a "minor" update, since I don't ever use the iTunes... More »
Last Post: September 21, 2009 4:38 AM by Andres
VirtualBox - The Free Competitor to VMware and Parallels Desktop
I've always had a soft spot for running Linux. How could anyone not be attracted to the idea of running a complete OS, with office suite, Internet browser, VOiP clients, and virtually everything a computer user needs... for FREE? Well, part of the problem is that I haven't yet spent enough time delving deeply into Linux and other open source operating systems to really get a feel for how to be productive within them, and how to duplicate the functionality I get from my Mac. That being said, I'm always feeling compelled to try out new flavors of Linux as they come along, if for no other reason, just to learn about them. Recently, given the number of virtualization options available for Mac OS X, I decided to give Linux another try. For those who may not be familiar, virtualization programs allow you to run an entire operating system within... More »
The Peek Email Device... Most Underrated Gadget Gift For 2008?
My email and I have a love/hate relationship. As much as I love keeping in touch via email, I also feel an "obligation" to check it all the time, and it can interfere with my life sometimes. Overall, staying connected is a net positive though, and my iPhone certainly makes it enjoyable and efficient. Mobile Email for the Non-Geek What about the "rest of us," though? The non-geeky crowd who might not have ever even used a BlackBerry or iPhone, clutching their Moto RAZR's and entry-level Samsung candybar phones that they got for free years ago? The folks who really want to stay in touch with their kids and more wired friends and family members via email, but avoid computers like the bubonic plague or door-to-door pamphlet peddlers? Especially relevant now, what about the people out there who desperately want an iPhone or other fancy mobile communications device, but want... More »
Highlights Of My First CES In 2009
I'd been in Vegas before, and what a crazy place it is. It was about 5 years ago, for a nationwide manager's conference. I was stuffed into the Flamingo like a sardine in a can with almost 300 other employees, with 4 days of nonstop meeting days and 4 nights of nonstop... studying... for the next meeting. But let me tell you, I have never been so exhausted from a work related journey than I was after CES 2009. Had I followed some sage advice, I probably would have been better off... but no, I lugged around that heavy bag and wore dress shoes. My feet still hurt and my shoulders were sore for days. I actually wore holes through brand new socks. That being said, I had a blast and met lots of great people - and got a chance to fulfill a childhood dream (as a lifelong video... More »
Want a Free Ride to CES? Show Your Love For Boxee!
Ahhh... CES. The most exciting event of the year for many tech aficionados, where manufacturers tout their newest, hottest wares amidst the beauty and non-stop pace of Sin City. You'd love to go, wouldn't you? The folks over at boxee are giving you just that chance... if you're willing to help spread the word about this awesome new social media center. If you're not familiar with boxee, well, you should be! If you've ever streamed media across your network, watched video podcasts, or watched an Internet video source like Hulu, boxee is perfect for you. From one slick, integrated interface, you've got all your media at your fingertips... your recorded video, pictures, and music can be streamed to boxee over your network. In addition, boxee connects you to popular Internet video sources like Hulu and CNN for endless content. Finally, boxee keeps you connected by helping you share and discover... More »
Last Post: January 5, 2009 11:44 AM by Peter Redmer
Retro Digicam Review: Casio QV-30 (Why Old Tech Isn't Always Cool)
You must know me by now... I love retro tech . Anything from old PDA's , to cellphones and computers, DOS games and my 8-bit NES collection , just turns my crank. However, not all old technology conjures up thoughts of rainbows and puppy dogs for me. Take, for example, the lovely Casio QV-30, a fossil in almost perfect condition discovered while spelunking through old moving boxes. This fine piece of machinery was voted "Best of What's New 1995" by Popular Science magazine, and I believe I purchased it on clearance at OfficeMax in about 1997-98. All that being said, this camera is the steamiest, stinkiest pile of image capturing plastic that I've ever seen. Of course, it was the bee's knees in 1995, so you can't knock it for that, but I'm comparing to my brand new shiny Casio Exilim EX-Z77 (which I reviewed here.) Here's a few reasons... More »
Last Post: January 7, 2009 3:16 PM by Peter Redmer
Apple's iPhone as a Gaming Platform... I'm Finally Convinced
For a long time, I never thought the iPhone would really become viable as a gaming console. I also thought that a touch screen would not (and could not) effectively replace the beloved gamepad as a preferred method of input for portable games, whether they be strategy, RPG, action, or otherwise. The massively exploding popularity of the App Store and the amount of games being sold boggles the mind. I was skeptical for a while, continuing to lovingly caress my Nintendo DS (and recently, my PSP) until I discovered that some truly fantastic games were waiting for me to enjoy, right on my iPrecious. Why is the iPhone viable as a mobile gaming platform? There are lots of reasons, really. Back in 2008, Apple claimed the iPhone would post a great threat to their competitors in the gaming sphere, but it wasn't taken all that seriously at the time .... More »
Last Post: August 19, 2009 11:32 AM by Matt Whitlock
Retro Game Review: Ninja Gaiden for the NES
I have a bone to pick with Tecmo. I stand here wondering why games like Bionic Commando , Super Mario Bros ., Punch Out!! , and so many others are getting remakes but the original Ninja Gaiden is not. Well, there are new members in the Ninja Gaiden series, including the upcoming Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3... but they're all fancy, 3D slash-n-adventure types. Booorrriiing. What I'd love to see is an action platformer remake of the original, similar in style to Castlevania: Synphony of the Night (one of the best neo-retro games ever made, period) that would feature action mixed with some RPG elements, and a gripping story just like the original. Dreams. For now, all I can do is back in the glory that was the original. Plot You play Ryu Hayabusa, a ninja who travels to America in search of an archaeologist named Dr. Smith -... More »
Last Post: July 23, 2009 11:19 AM by Peter Redmer
Vintage Game Review: Prince of Persia for PC/DOS
It seems that the love being given to retro games is neverending these days, with old 8-bit classics being remade left and right. Games like the revamped Metal Gear & Alone in the Dark series, as well as the upcoming Bionic Commando redux, are only a few tiny fish in a growing sea of upgraded, flashier remakes. Another fine example is the Prince of Persia franchise. More recently, they've become glamorous 3-D adventures in the spirit of games like Assassin's Creed, branching out to the PC , PlayStation 3 , and XBOX 360 with Prince of Persia: Warrior Within and other titles. There's also smaller installments on the DS ( Prince of Persia: The Fallen King ) and PSP ( Prince of Persia: Rival Swords .) Truthfully, I haven't played any of these titles... not even once. And frankly, I don't care to. Not because I'm assuming they aren't good... More »
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