Why Apple?!

Now, as this blog is supposed to be about general technology and nerd items, I haven't really done much that relate to said items. so today I plan on rectifying that.

So, as I like to store most of my stuff, and rarely delete items from my laptops, I thought it was about time to invest in a external hard drive.
see, not that many shops stock them, and even when they do, the smaller, portable ones are far more in fashion than the older, larger, need a power socket ones. plus, for 1 tb in size, you need to spend above £50 (portable ones you looking at around £80 plus!).
if you do go out an buy one, there isn't much to look out for. obviously the price. Size matters as well, depending on how much you are going to use it, and for how long etc. also, some of them come with a warranty, which is worth looking into in case it breaks and you lose some of your data. those are just a few things to consider.

so I spent my Saturday looking around for one of these. not the most enjoyable pastime, but it did need to be done.

I had another reason for getting one; my laptop has been in a bad way.
I recently moved to a new place that only has an Ethernet port (well, a very weak wireless signal in the room I use my laptop in). “What's the problem? most laptops come with a standard Ethernet port?”. Well, mine did, until the port died after around 3 weeks.

Since then (around 5 months) iv dealt with internet that's cut out, using my net-book as my main laptop, and reinstalling windows 7.

So far, none of those things worked, and each day I'm now mocked by the constant fear that my connection will cut out, and I will lose work or a conversation with someone. Its all rather annoying.

Anyway, back on subject… so I decided to get an external hard drive to make backing up all of my data for easier. It cost me £50 from Curry's, and so far I would recommend it. 1tb, and its on special offer.

Going back to my on going problems, someone gave me a brain wave the other day (OK, she actually came up with the idea) which was a usb to Ethernet adapter. So, of course I went hunting around the city I live near. asked both Curry's and P.C world, because, you know, they supposedly sell tech. Both said no…and one suggested Apple?!

So, wandering into the apple store, and having to find my way through the crowds of people looking at all of the shiny Apple gear, I finally find the converter…only to see the price tag… £25?!?!?! For a converter?! Come on Apple? Seriously? That's half the price of the 1tb hard drive? Why?! 

So of course I flatly refused and left. And now of course I'm sat here still wondering how long until my connection cuts off again…but with £25 in my wallet. I'm happy with that.

Hazz 22

3D….S?

 

Right, there has been LOADS of hubbub on gaming websites about the  Nintendo 3DS. Ok, so I'm a little bit of a Nintendo fan, and all ways have been. So, unsurprisingly, I'm rather excited about it. So today, I'm going to dedicate some of my time to spreading the word, and discussing 3D in general.

The 3ds is a rather clever bit of kit, maybe not in raw hardware, but in some of its concepts. The 3DS produces a 3d image by using 2 screens, which send slightly different images to your eyes, which then gives you the 3D effect. Also, as they are technically two different screens, they have found of a way of allowing the owner to turn the effect on or off at will by sliding the screens closer or further a part. a very useful feature if you ask me.

the 3D effect in cinemas etc. has caused rather a lot of issues for people. some complain about nausea and or headaches when watching 3D films. So by having the option of turning it on and off is a massive plus, and also doctors etc. have said different things when it comes to how safe  the use of 3D is, and how long you should watch 3D images.  So of course Nintendo have done something rather nice by putting this on there system.
I wont be talking about the 3d effect actually on the system, as i have yet to see it, so i have no idea.

There are downsides to this system unfortunately. that is that there is a “sweet” spot where you get the effect. Move out of this, such as get too close, far away or move in any other direction and the effect is lost. This could be a bit of a problem. but then again…you could just turn the effect off?

The games to me are more of a selling point (that and the 3D camera built in, so you can take 3D snaps of things. To me…that's pretty awesome!), as there is a classic that is being remade. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This has got to be one of my most favourite games ever, and I'm rather looking forward to a graphical update and some sprinkling of 3d on top. I just hope it has changed enough to warrant another play through, yet similar enough that i don't feel like its been ruined. I Recon Nintendo can pull it off though!

There are loads of other games coming out too, all with great visuals and apparently solid online play. No more faffing about with friend codes (if you have owned a DS or Wii, you will understand how silly this feature was). Well, that's not true. there will be one code, but for your system, not each one for your games. This means once you have a friend saved, you can then see what they are playing, and join in. Slightly like Xbox Live (or PSN, but as i don't own a PS3, i have no idea).

Anyway, all in all it looks rather promising. There is so much i haven’t mentioned, so check out Gaming sites who went to a recent press conference about it to get more in-depth details. Knowing me i will be in line on launch day to grab one. Shame the price is around £200, but worth it when you think how much is in it.

Guess i had best start saving!

Hazz 22

Summer…

Today will be a short post, as its rather late, and i don't have that much time on my hands.

Its been so sunny as of late that its made me think of summer, and how i miss it.

I miss the smells, sights, sounds, all of it! I miss the evening sky being filled with beautiful colours, and elaborate cloud shapes. i miss everyone being out and about, even at 8:30 at night! Its such a great time of year. Even when it rains, i don't mind, as you get this wonderful smell of grass if its warm enough.

Of course, there are downsides. Being stuck indoors is not fun while all of this is going on. And the inevitability of it all, that soon autumn will roll around (even though it didn't turn up last year, and jumped directly to the bitterly cold Winter) and soon all of this time will be over.

Now, this all links rather nicely to music. Some music can just make you feel like your in the summer time once again, even when your walking for the bus with wind against your face and the ice cold rain soaking through your coat or doing work right next to a heater as your room is never warm. it just fills you with this unusual feeling of summer, and what it brings.

Of course, Winter has its own music with its own feelings which are great too. But right now I'm rather missing Summer.

I’ve always been tempted with the thought of living in a country that is always hot in the future. i don't deal all that well with cold  (i do enjoy skiing though), and just prefer the summer sun.

Summer holidays with friends, BBQ’s, and just its always far less stressed during those months of the year.

To sum up, I’m rather looking forward to Summer this year.

Have fun, and listen to some of your own Summer music!

Hazz 22

I Couldn’t Live Without…

Its another evening, and so with it must come a blog post. 

Well, as i said i wouldn't talk about anything particularly personal, that leaves most of my day out. 

Ok, so i will start by answering some of your questions...

Considering there aren't any, i guess i can't write about that either. 

See, i REALLY don't want to go on about games,but they are one of my main hobbies. That, and music. And just general technology. 

Now, this gets me thinking. When ever someone goes "Oh my! i couldn't live with out my phone being by my side at all times!" I just sigh, and feel a little sad. 

It seems that people have forgotten about dealing with or with out things. Grow up! People have lived for  thousands  of years with out the need for Facebook or such like.

Sure, its done wonders for making things faster. Connecting with old friends or just staying in contact with current ones. But the NEED for technology to be with you at all times i think is a little silly. People should go out, into the country side, and discover a whole wide world of small bandwidth and dodgy phone signal.

People will cry hypocrite at me. Of course they will. But i don't think i have ever said that i need something with me. Sure, i do take my laptop with me whenever i travel far, but i don't need it like i need my friends or family. 

People are far more important to me, and they always will be. 

You might also cry hypocrite, as I'm writing Blog, and the name of which includes the word nerd. (the word nerd doesn't directly link to the internet for your information.) the former of which can only be accessed though the internet, and thus requires technology.  

Anyway, i do feel sorry for people who decide they need there phones always on and within a 6 feet radius, or people who need Facebook to be running 48 hours a day (not a typo).

Go outside, meet with the people that you watch on Facebook, and have some fun!

That's my thoughts for the day. please feel free to comment (even if you think I'm a hypocrite).

Have fun

Hazz 22

(sorry about lack of proper grammar in the last post.)

So, this being my first blog and all, i guess i should say something about my self? well...
had you going there didn't i?
I'm not going to display much about my self, or any of my friends and family etc. i would prefer this blog to be about how i see the world, what i think of things, and just generally what i want to put. i will put links to some of my favourite things, such as websites or t.v shows, but i wont like anything directly to my self, or at least try not to!
OK, now I'm off that rather dull subject of discussing "what I'm gunna do" i might as well get on with my first post.

So, this blog having the word Nerd in the title means I should probably talk about something technology related. er...ahh....
OK, here it goes....
right well that failed. iv had the idea for writing a blog several months ago, but always decided against it for several reasons, such as not knowing what to write...and just generally people you don't know will read it.
But, start of a New Year and new beginnings, so I thought what they hey! 
Rookie mistake...
the Internet in my room is abysmal at best. its not the internets fault, its my poor laptop. its used every day, for pretty much all of my Internet needs. so its bound to get a little worn out and tired, especially after 3 years of services. its been one of the best items I've ever owned, and its been through a lot.
so i solute you my HP Pavilion dv9000.

continuing with my Nerd theme (YES GOT THE BALL ROLLING)
i should probably discuss my favourite games, games consoles and of course t.v and movies.

when it comes to games, i used to be a fanatic. i say used to, as in the last year and a half, i have probably only brought and played the amount that can be counted with one hand.
this is rather annoying from my perspective. i see loads of great games come and go, only for me to have missed them. "but the single play is great, and you can go and get a cheap copy!" i hear you cry...across your telephone line (or fibre optic cable, depending on your current position).
well, let me answer the question with a word... Multi-player. I'm more of a fan of the multi-player than i am of the main game (in some cases, that you will learn about in the coming weeks) and in some cases, skipped the main game for it. i just prefer to play with mates than to play a game alone.
so, how does this all fit in? well, as a new game is released its pretty staple for it to come with a multi-player. if it doesn't, its usually due to the main game is so strong that it doesn't need it or, more often than not,  its rubbish.
so by the time iv picked up this cheap copy, all of my friends have stopped playing it, and moved on. there are a few staple games me and my friends play, such as Call of Duty 4 and its squeal. also, Battle Field Bad Company 2.
 Both games have an excellent multi-player, and so have been played a lot, and most likely in weeks to come, i will elaborate on why i like them so much.

well, that's all we have time for (and i can be bothered to write about) today.

i should hopefully be making regular updates to this, so check back every so often. 

Thanks for reading!

Hazz22