Be Still My beating Heart

Ok Looking on the Web today I saw something that made my heart go pitter patter. And of all things a game. But not just any game a game that includes action. and adventure unlike many I have ever seen in the past. A game that brings me back to the days when Indiana jones was at his peek. and Laura croft tomb raider was all the reage. It took concepts from the two and combined them togeather and then added alot of it's own personality to make one of the greatest games of 2007.

This is one of those games that can bring everyone togeather. Those that don't like to play will still love to watch this fun and very interesting story. My Girl Cassie Belle although not a big fan of video games loved to watch and has even played some. It is one of very few games that I have played threw multipule times. The scenery is Beautiful. Running threw the game is litke looking at a painting. I almost wished at times I could have had a camera in the game to take pictures of some of the sunsets. Then at the end of the game I felt like I was saying good bye to old friends.

Pictured above are the two of the friends in the game Nathan who is the main charater and Sully who is his partner in crime. The personalitys of these two is unlike any other game I have seen. they banter back and forth and you get the feeling these two digital characters really have known eachother for a long time.

So if you have not played Uncharted Drakes Fortune. I would highly recommend it. You will laugh, Cry, Jump with both fear and joy. You will be able to walk away with the feeling of watching an indiana jones movie for the first time. You will feel like you did when you walked out of George Lucas or Stephen Speelburgs older movies. You know before they got old and lost the desire to push the limits and the need to prove themselves. This is one of the great games to have been made.

And now to move onto the Reason for this post. The reason my heart jumped. The reason I am so excited. The sequal to one of the greatest games made. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Rooting for the underdog.

I have an issue and most people are starting to get on my nerves with this. But why does everyone have to root for the underdog? is it they desire change because thier life is crap? Is it just some stupid human desire to see someone who has not trained as hard or as long to win? is it that we want to be able to say that everyone we don't like is evil and the underdog is fighting for us? Then also who really is the underdog anyway? Do you cheer for Lex Luthor to defeat Superman? No we do not! Maybe that is self preservation though.
But why do we cheer on the guy that only got to where he is not because he was able to back stab everyone else that was better than him in the first place?
Examples of these things are mostly seen in sports. Like most recently the Superbowl. I wanted to see history happen by the Patriots making history by finishing off a tuff but otherwise undefeated season. But many people only wanted to see the Giant win soley for the fact to see the Patriots lose. Not that they were Giant fans all year, or that ultimatly the Giants were a better team. They just wanted the Giant to win just to see the Patriots loose. The Patriots who had worked hard all Season long to win every game. To do everything right on the field, and proved they were one of the best teams ever in football history.
Other examples of this I have seen have been in most every sporting event. Baseball, Basketball, Soccer, and even in the Olympics. But Sports is not the only place it is seen. Buisness is also a place where we cheer on the underdog. Not because the ultimatly bring us a much better product. But because we feel the Big corperation has done well for too long and needs to be de-throned.
I see this mostly in Game forums myself. Most notably recently is many game geeks that Bash Sony, then Microsoft, But all praise Nintendo. Now I will admit that Nintendo is not an evil company. But they are not a saint company by any means. You might read my review on Nintendo. Mainly the Nintendo Wii. Although it is a ok system. I still see why it should be the underdog. It is a bad console compared to the the PS3 and the Xbox 360. They gave you a reboxed gamecube with another crapy controller. But people defend the Wii as if it was thier own child. saying things like Nintendo did not want to compete with Microsoft or Sony, Or Nintendo does not care about graphics. This is all a lie in my opinion for Nintendo because they tanked with the Gamecube and the N64 was not much better. Nintendo did not want to compete with Sony or Microsoft because the cannot compete with them. Nintendo only success has been in the handheld market for the past 10 years. Thier Consoles have been lacking. and so have thier games with those consoles. That is why you see a new Mario Kart and Mario game each time. Those are the only games they can do right each time. But We in the end see them as the underdog and so we cheer them on. Praise them for thier short commings and buy and promote thier underdone & underworked console.
So why do we Root for the underdog? They don't really do anything for us. They don't give us pride in our country, or the ability to see history in the making. They don't give us anyting consistant. I will root for someone to finish a race but not to win it. But they only give us a moment that in the end is not always the best.

Console Comparison part 3: Sony Playstation 3

Ok Finally the Playstation 3. This is my personal console of choise. There are still some issues and challenges with this console but also some great benefits.

Hardware: The playstation 3 utilizes not only the most powerful CPU for a console but also one of the most powerful CPU's compared to any computer out there. The playstations CPU is most notably known as the Cell Processor. It uses a completly diffrent architecture from any computer out there. It is a number crunching monster of a chip. The Cell was Developed by IBM and so has a similar core to that of the Xbox360's tri core processor. But where the Cell differs is that it only has one main core and then 8 mini cores called SPE's. These processors do not have the same ability as the main core, but are much faster at crunching numbers compared to a normal core. This in turn makes the Cell much faster and makes it run much cooler and power effective. The PS3 also has the RSX processor. I will admit I do not know much about this GPU. But it also has a slightly diffrent architecture. With the Cell and the RSX combined you have a very fast console that can push alot of high end graphics. The PS3 also comes with a slot loading Blu-ray player that is now being pushed as the next disk format to follow DVD. Bluray being able to hold 6 times the data on a single layer compared to a single DVD layer. and righ now they have 50 gig disks and are working on a 4 layer 100 gig disk. In comparison a dual layer DVD is 9 gig. The PS3 also comes in two SKU's and so I will only cover the high end version. All PS3's come with blutooth and wireless as standared. The ps3 also comes with a card reader and 4 usb slots. for transfering data and the USB is used for charging your controller. The controller it's self is connected by blutooth. the controller layout is the same compared to previos playstation consoles. Although the have impemented the Sixaxis tilt controls into the controller it's self. Currently controllers being sold now do not have the rumble feature. But Sony has now started making the Dual shock 3 controller with the rumble back in it, and will be launching stateside in the next few months. Also every PS3 comes with a hard drive. Varing on size depending on what SKU you bought. All of this comes at a premium price. But compared to other products and what you are getting. It is a very good deal.

Software: This is one of the diffrences between the PS3 and other consoles. You are able to install a few diffrent types of Linux on your PS3. This makes it very close to a full blown computer. I have not installed Linux on my PS3 although I have looked into it. The Ps3 like the other 2 consoles can play movies and music directly from the hard drive. But the Ps3 has one of the best Visulizers of anything out there. if you not familiar with what a visializer is. you may haveseen it on the windows media player any time you turn on a song and see the picture react to the music. The Ps3 also like the other consoles recieves free firmware updates either by internet or if you so want to can have a disk shipped to you for a small cost. This adds the ability for more fun options to be added to your PS3 at a later date. One of these is the Program called HOME. This is the Playstation version of nintendos Mii's and Microsofts Xbox live. It gives you stunning graphics and the ability to communicate with others around the world.

Games: Sony is another Company like Nintendo that is well known for it's games. Sony has also just recently passed Nintendo for overall game Quality. Where they get those numbers is they gather all the rateings for every game a company makes or produces and gathers the average score. This does not just include Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. But also includes companys like EA, Atari, Ubiosoft, Take Two, ect. Sony is not known for one type of game format either. They are known from raceing games to First Person shooters to Platformers and so on. It's most popular franchises show this. with games like Metal Gear Solid. Final Fantasy, Grand turismo, and Ratchet and Clank. All diffrent types of games but all that have set the standared in gameing. Sony also has some more great looking games comming to the console. Those like Little big planet and echochrome. 2008 and 2009 look to be good years for games for the playstation brand of games.

Upgrades and other: I put upgrades in this that I did not in the Other because of the Ability to change out the Hard drive in the Ps3 with a larger Laptop hard drive with out voiding the warrenty. Why would you want a larger hard drive? Media. Not only is Sony selling games online for download. But they will soon be selling the ability to download some of your favorite games and possibly movies right to the hard drive. This can take up space quickly. So if you decided that you were going to take advantage of this a larger hard drive would be a benefit.

Conclusion: For just games the PS3 is an expensive console. But if you like the playstation brand of games it is the way to go. If your looking for a blu-ray player. The PS3 is your best option in the market right now, and one of your cheaper options as it will always be updated and current to keep up witht the newer systems. The Biggest drawback to the PS3 right now is the Price being the most expensive of the consoles. Andother benefit/drawback is the web browser. The web browser is nice to have but is very limited on what sites it is compatible with. The PS3 is the console that gives you the most for your money. But if you don't have the money and don't want to wait for another price drop. You might be better off getting one of the other consoles if you know you will play some games. But I have played the other consoles and they have some great games, but I am still more satified with my PS3

Console Comparison Part 2: Microsoft Xbox360

Ok Part 2 of my console review. Next up on the Chopping block is Microsofts Xbox 360Hardware: The Xbox 360 has some fairly impressive hardware. The Processor is a tri-core power PC developed by IBM. The tripple core gives it a good boost for handeling multiple objects on your screen at one time. The Memory is well handled to keep the system from bottle necking. and the GPU(Graphics Processor) is still considered one of the best on the market. The Xbox360 also Utalizes a DVD player for playing games and watching movies. It does upconvert DVD movies to a higher resolution which is a benafit for those with a big screen T.V. And finally You possibly have a hard drive depending on when you bought the system and what SKU you have. The Xbox360 has had some Hardware Issues Thought. This is also known as the Red ring of Death. Most of them have been cleaned up or fixed in it's 2 year exsistance but it has hurt the console in consumer confidence. It also has the now failed HD-DVD add on drive. Not that it was a bad product. But many have expressed the desire for it to have been integrated into the Console it's self instead of being an externial perifial.

Games: Currently the Xbox360 has the most games out. The Xbox brand is known mostly for it's FPS(First Person Shooter) games. Although they do have many other good games. Like Dead or alive, Saints row. and Project Gothem Raceing. But the biggest hit titles for the Xbox have been it's FPS.

Most notably The Halo Franchise. Halo is one of the Best Selling franchises of all time alongside those other famous characters like Sonic, Pacman, Mario, and other big game Icons.

The Xbox Brand is also very well know for it's online system. Xbox live is one of if not the most popular online community out there. There is a small fee, But if you are an online gamer it is worth the money.

Networking: The Xbox 360 does have a ethernet port on the system but if you have a wirless network you will have to pay a premium for the seperate wireless adapter. So I would have to recommend that if you can, you will want to hardwire the Xbox 360 to your network. but another good thing about the Xbox 360 is it's ability to become a media extender on your network. Meaning that you can listen and watch all the Music & movies on you windows based PC. This is actually one of the big selling points for the Xbox besides the games.

Conclusion: The Xbox 360 has some great things to it and some not so great things depending on how you look at it. The lack of a hard drive as standared is in my opinion an downgrade for the originale Xbox. The HD-DVD not being intigrated and not used for games is also a possible downgrade to the system and potentially hurts future game development. Although that is not a definate and still has yet to be seen if it will be a hinderance or not. Most of the Xbox 360's originalle issues was Microsoft trying to beat Both Sony and Nintendo to market. Some of the features feel rushed and un-polished. But this does not take away from this being a great console. So depending on what types of games you like to play and what game franchises you like to follow the Xbox 360 is a good choise in the end.

Game Consoles comparison. Nintendo Wii

This is something that I have come to think allot about. What console is the best console. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses. We have the Nintendo Wii that is great for non gamers. Then the Xbox 360 that currently have the most next gen games and is much more powerful than the Wii. Then you have the Playstation 3 with the most powerful processor and the most recent domination on the Market with it's predecessor the Playstation 2. But I want to go into more detail on each console as I see them and who should buy them. I will Go over a new console everyday

First we will start out with the Nintendo Wii.

Hardware: This is the weakest of the current Generation of consoles. By weakest I mean the processor speed and graphics abilities. Some people have compared it to taking 2 Nintendo Gamecubes and strapping them together. Nintendo has admitted that they were not going for a more powerful console this time around. You have with it the Wii mote and the nun-chuck. You can sync 4 of them up to the system. You also have multiple accessories to connect with the Wii mote if you so desire. Nintendo has also moved up to a DVD player in this system although the console will not play DVD movies. The Wii also has a slot card reader for memory cards like in you Digital camera. All this gets you a small system that is innovative in it's controls but not what anyone would be able to call a powerful little system.

Games: Nintendo is know for it's quality control and family friendly games. Some Games of note are Zelda, Metroid, and Most any game with Mario in it. Nintendo has been called the family friendly console and also the kiddy console as many of it's more popular games are more simple and cartoonish. Not a bad thing but keeps out some of the crowd. Along with that is your Mii character that you create to play on some games. Nintendo has tried to spread it's wings a little bit with games like the Resident Evil series. But Nintendo this time around is very well know for it's mini games following the success of the Nintendo DS handheld system. The Wii does not have many games out at the moment though being that it is a New Console. But some fan favorites have come out or will be out soon for the console. Like Mario Galaxy, Zelda, And soon to come Smash Brothers and the Newest Mario Kart game. Great games for a first year console. The Wii is also Backwards Compatible with the Gamecube and has the connections for 4 gamecube controllers. So you can pull out Mario Kart DD or Super smash brothers and have a blast with the friends and family.

Internet: The Wii has a basic web browser. But it does now have a 1 time cost for you to have the ability to use it. You also have the Ability to download old Nintendo, Sega, and other older consoles games. This library of games is still currently growing. You can share your Mii with others and also participate in other online activities.

Other: Other basic things with the Wii is the Photo Manager. Allowing you to show pictures on your T.V. you can use a CD,DVD or memory card to view your photo's.

Conclusion:

Although I do think the Wii is a fun Console. I think it lacks in longevity. The Wii is the console version of Tickle Me Elmo. It is selling really big right now, But that is to a crowd that does not normally play Video games. Nintendo did a smart thing by Setting the Price they have because they are below the competition but they are still making money. But I think Nintendo has also done a great disservice to all those that have stayed with them and have enjoyed games in the Past. I think Nintendo should have gone for a more powerful CPU and GPU in the Wii. Not to keep up with Microsoft or Sony. But to make the Wii something that will be worth owning after two years on the market. The games are fun but I find that sometimes I want more. They are dumbed down versions of what we have already played in the past, but with a new face on it and graphics that are only a slight upgrade to what we were getting last Gen. I can Recommend the Wii, but not to everyone. If you are 15 or over you are better off with the other two consoles. if you like technology you are better off with the other two consoles. But if you like big Party games or have allot of kids, The Wii is for you.

Next Up is the Xbox360

Innovation

It has been a few days since I last posted anything not that I don't have alot of half finished thoughts. I have a few things for Reviews on The Current Next Gen Consoles, and I have some thoughts on Movies. Particuarally the ones in the 80's that I love. and I am thinking on doing some remanesing of some old 80's movies in later posts. But Today what has been on my mind is Innovation, Creation, and expansion for things to come.
I have always liked the idea of inventing things. But Not something tried and true and adding a thing-a-who onto it and calling it new. And I don't want to create the Next Google, Yahoo, Aol, MSN, ask.com, Search page. or Myspace, or Facebook Personale web page. I don't want to be the one to create the Next high def format on t.v.'s or something that is short term. Too many people just Regurgitate an idea and add new art to it and call it better lately. I do not agree that facebook is better or worse than myspace. it's just got a diffrent face with the same insides. It's all that internet rave that say's if you build it they will come. But I believe that it is a limited market if you create just another Myspace website. Also people will only use so many Search engins. Those markets are saturated and the big hitters have already come out swinging.
So what is one to do? We don't have to come up with something new. We just have to come up with something usefull. Myspace is usefull because it lets you express yourself and keep in contact with your friends. Google as a search engine is usefull because it let you find what you are looking for. Creating the newest T.V. would be fun but takes alot of time and money. and I don't want to be the one that just one up's the other. I want to change the Market. I want to make the world better. I don't want to create a product that makes us more lazy. Yes they might be fun but it is pointless to have a beer can thrown to you so you don't have to go to the fridge.
But I have also found you don't have to listen to the negativity of those around you. Examples of this are my dad and he is very similar to how the world reacts to these things. I had the idea almost 15 years ago to put a Hard Drive into a car and put MP3's on it. So you could take all your music with you on one disk and not carry and swap out 500 CD's. We see this hitting big time now. Hard drives are truly now in Cars and Everyone knows the Ipod craze that has hit the market. And what did my dad along with the world say to me 15 years ago? Thats a bad idea. it will never work. Get a real job where you can make money get married and make babies. I regret now that I did not go after that idea. Sure someone might have already patented the idea before that. But Who knows. I could have been the one that got in and changed the world. People might not ever remember my name but my legacy would have been started. I want to change the world. I don't care if every one knows my name and people flock to me just to catch a glimpse. I just to feel I have done something with my life. I want to know I have created something that people will use to make this world a better one.
I know I am able to do some great things. I have many talents and skills because of how I have lived my life. I am a Great Draftsman. I have come to that conlusion and I am worth what My boss pay's me and more. I am good at specking out computers. I have built computers that can still outrun computers much younger and run smoother and cleaner. I can learn about things around me faster than most. I know my learning style. I know my health and how to stay healthy. Although I know I can do better and I need to not listen to others about what I can and can't do. I just need to apply myself and come up with that Idea that I know is out there somewhere.
What I see comming in big time over the Next Few years are Touchscreens. Possibly to come take over for the Mouse someday. Also UPC or ultra portable computers and Tablet PC. This goes along with the touch screens Because most of them have a touch screen of some sort. They will replace the Laptop computer someday. Video on demand or dowloadable content. I don't know if it will ever replace full ownership. But I do think that the Rental community will be taken by storm once americans update to faster internet connections. I also think you will start to see high def. Television sales start to rapidly pick up over the next few years. You will also see alot of previously 2D programs turn into 3D, especially art Programs. There is so much that can and will happen over even the next year in technology. That if you think about it first but don't do anything about it someone else will take advantage of it.
So find what you love to do and make it even better.

Tech Geeks are better than I, Because they have a web site

Ok the big thing I am alyas asked by friends, family , and coworkers is always about Technology. What is the Best T.V. to get or what is a good Video card to get for thier computer. It's the Curse of a Tech Geek. But at the end of the day I really don't mind. I love talking about technology. So For the poor Sap that is dumb enuph to ask me a question. They better be ready to listen. I can go on and on about allot of diffrent things. Computers. From what is the fastest to what is the best for the money.
Then there are T.V.'s This is my most recent favorite subject. From Contrast ratio and brightness levels to brand name and screen size. Not only is Screen size important for the male ego, But why have a 24" television in a room that is the size of a football stadium.
My other Favorite Subject is Video Cames. I am Primarily a Console Gamer. And to narrow that down I am a Playstation Gamer. Sure I have played the other consoles. From the Nintendo Wii which my parents have. To the Xbox360 which two of my roommates have owned. But I always love the playstation games the most. But I will allways ask someone comming to me for advice. What games are they interested in and how much time do you have or want to play video games.
But one question I always get asked is where I have learned all this crazy stuff. Well For those of you reading this you might notice a few things on the side of my blog. Engadget and Cnet. These are two sites I would reccommend for you to go to if you want to start learning about technology. Engadget looks into the future to see what we will be getting 6 months or even possibly 10 years from now, and Cnet does alot of Reviews of current things out and give alot of detail on why it is or is not better than something else. This goes back to my title. These geeks are better than I am because they have a web site that can go to the masses. So that is where I recommend you all go for now until I have the time to learn and set up my own web site. Along with http://www.recommendedspec.com/ for those feeling a little more adventurious.
Of course your always free to ask me a question too.