system message of the day

P00>>>boot -fl 1,1
resetting all I/O buses

System Door is Closed

getting loaded

Sony is the opposite of it just works

I bought an 80GB PS3 about a year-and-a-half ago. It has been a decent piece of hardware. I installed Yellow Dog Linux on it even.

Then Sony came out with the Slim PS3, so I eventually got one of those. Also a decent piece of hardware thus far. But I never deactivated my older 80GB PS3, nor did I activate my new one. Oh sure, I still log in with my PlayStation Network ID on my new one, but I so rarely purchase any content from the PSN, it had never been an issue.

It is an issue now. As you might have guessed, I elected not to update my older 80GB PS3 when they decided to take away the install other OS option. I want to keep the ability to run YDL. But I have been updating the slim model. Last night I finally installed Media Go on my desktop PC, so I could move around some files on Memory Sticks for my PSP. Thus far Media Go is actually not bad. Much better than every previous media management software I have used from Sony (going back to SonicStage ). But the one thing it could not do was backup my digital copy of District 9. This copy came with the Blu-ray version of the movie. Since I was not allowed to back it up, I deleted it, assuming I could copy it again from my older PS3. Of course I was wrong. I was prompted to log into the PSN to copy it. Obviously I cannot log into Sony's precious PSN with my older hax0r PS3 (evidently anyone running Linux on their PS3 is a hacker/pirate/thief).

What to do? I figured I could log in with my up-to-date slim PS3, so I backed up the video, and restored it to my Slim PS3. But, I can't renew the license, even when signed into the PSN, and I suspect it is because my new PS3 is not activated. When I try to activate it for video, I am told I can only have one PS3 active, and I must deactivate the old one. Which I cannot do, because the old one cannot sign into the PSN.

So I call Sony support*, and am told they can deactivate my old PS3, in one to two days. WTF? I want to watch the video this weekend, while traveling. and of course, there is no guarantee that getting the activation sorted out will allow me to renew my license. So I am sure there will be another phone call somewhere down the line.
Frustratingly enough, getting the District 9 digital copy working in the first place was not straightforward, and it also took me a couple of phone calls to get it to work.

This is why Apple is eating Sony's lunch in the digital media market. Say what you will about Jobs and Co., the two times I have called them for support, they have fixed the problems on the spot, and one of those times involved a digital copy and my wife's iPhone. What is it that Sony lacks here? Even Microsoft seems to do a better job with Xbox Live and the Zune marketplace (I also own Xbox 360s). whatever it is, I hope they figure it out.



*the technical support number is 800-345-7669; they are open Mon - Sat 6AM - 8PM (PST), Sun 7AM - 6:30PM (PST)

the imports are cheaper than domestic

ordering two CDs from amazon.co.uk:

Delivery Method: Standard
Delivery Preference: Group my items into as few deliveries as possible
Subtotal of Items: GBP 14.45
Postage & Packing: GBP 4.07
------
Total before VAT: GBP 18.52
VAT: GBP 0.00
------
Total: GBP 18.52
Promotional Gift Certificates: -GBP 0.00
------
Total for this order: GBP 18.52
Payment Total: USD 29.11**

ordering them from amazon.com:

Items: $48.96
Shipping & Handling: $3.97
Super Saver Discount: -$3.97
Promotion Applied: -$0.00

Total Before Tax: $48.96
Estimated Tax: $0.00
Order Total: $48.96

I save 40% (almost $20) by ordering from amazon.co.uk. even though I live in the US. go figure.

Paste and Go

Dear every other browser maker, please implement this feature at your earliest convenience:

I realize that I am in the minority in using a feature like this, after all most people are just going to click hyperlinks as they find them. But still, what would it hurt to add this for the few of us who would use it? Obviously Google developers must use it, and those guys are pretty smart, so come on Opera, Safari, Firefox, and IE, get cracking.

1GB HP iPod Shuffle

Remember 2004*, back when HP sold HP-branded Apple iPods? I know those were some sweet times, but I can't imagine how this vintage 1GB HP-branded iPod Shuffle is worth $100 on "clearance". That's right, the orange clearance price tag says $100. I took this picture today, June 17th, 2010. Unfortunately I couldn't handle the product, as it was behind plexiglass.

*okay, the 1GB shuffle didn't come out until 2005.

Hooters skate school

Brewing Control System

My neighbor is a serious home-brewer, and I recently got to check out his brewing control system.







The coolest part is not pictured. He has an app on his iPhone that lets him not only monitor this setup, but control it as well. I want to say the application was just called BCS, but I could not find it in the app store. I believe he mentioned it was a $10 app. Sounds totally worth it.

all-electric cars are nearly here

Why do you even bother?

Why does this USPS station even remain open:


They are closed before work, it would be a stretch to get there over lunch, and they are closed after work. they are open for 2.5 hours a day, five days a week. Sure you can go in and collect your PO Box mail anytime, but if you need a service that requires human interaction, you are screwed.

if you managed to alienate the KKK...

Damn Phelps, even the KKK is against you:

Pass the Word

Man I hope this means somebody in a marketing department somewhere is a huge Guided By Voices fan and snuck this one in:

Bioware Bazaar link

http://social.bioware.com/brc/952723

YDL on PS3

I just installled Yellow Dog Linux on my PS3. here is what cpuinfo looks like:

[root@localhost ~]# cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep processor | wc -l
2
[root@localhost ~]# cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor : 0
cpu : Cell Broadband Engine, altivec supported
clock : 3192.000000MHz
revision : 16.0 (pvr 0070 1000)

processor : 1
cpu : Cell Broadband Engine, altivec supported
clock : 3192.000000MHz
revision : 16.0 (pvr 0070 1000)

timebase : 79800000
platform : PS3
model : SonyPS3
[root@localhost ~]#

pants-tightening squash

Jacques: The Sports Issue Trailer 1 from Jacques Magazine on Vimeo.

Borderlands gets new achievements, but not the DLC

this is annoying. I see Borderlands no longer shows as completed, because they have already added the new achievements for the forthcoming DLC. emphasis on the "forthcoming", as it is not out yet. Not fair to ding me for content that is not yet available.




full size image

Hiromi - Pachelbel's Canon

whole album here:
http://rs205tl3.rapidshare.com/files/305393340/Hiromi_Place.rar

Hiromi - Pachelbel's Canon

whole album here:
http://rs205tl3.rapidshare.com/files/305393340/Hiromi_Place.rar