rant

Listen to me, all up on that horse that is quite high!

My Digital Camera History

Posted January 30, 2010 - 11:38pm

My first experience behind a camera was taking control of my parents film camera at family outings. It often came to be that thirty-six shots was not enough to keep me entertained. With film and processing costs, they felt it would be cheaper in the long run to get me a digital camera.

The Fujifilm MX-2900 was to be my first digital camera and cast me as "that weird guy in high-school who always had a camera on him". Over the next few years I was to take countless shots with this little 2.3 megapixel beast. Many of them were lost over the years, a lot were deleted on purpose as I was far from skilful. But damn I had fun with that camera. Eventually I felt it was finally time to upgrade.

Radius Atomic Bass Earbuds Are Great, Until They Break

Posted July 27, 2009 - 5:31pm

A month ago I finally decided on a set of earbuds to replace the stock iPhone ones. After a bit of research and some recommendations from review sites, I decided on the Radius Atomic Bass earbuds.

Reviews said they compared favourably to others that were twice or more the price. So, an order was placed and after a week and a few days, I had my new earbuds.

At first, they took a bit to get used to - and in fact, fitted better in the opposite ear they were meant for. But there was no denying the fact that they sounded awesome. I was really impressed with the sound quality that came out of these tiny ear buds. Sure, they looked funny. But damn they sounded good.

My Mobile Phone History

Posted May 9, 2009 - 1:29am

A few weeks ago, Noisypoppy looked back on his mobile phone history. Now it's my turn...

Strike Until You Get Back Your Good Ideas.

Posted February 14, 2009 - 12:10pm

To put it frankly, I watch a lot of television shows. Unfortunately a fair few of the shows I used to really enjoy have turned to shit.

And I blame the writers.

I'm not sure what the positive outcomes were from the Writers Guild Association strike was. Maybe they got more money, less hours, whatever. But one major thing should of been used at the negotiating table. If they wanted more money, they should have to start writing good quality entertainment again. Not just for one or two seasons. For the entire run of the show.

If that's not possible, then maybe it's time for shows to only go for one or two seasons.

Spoilers may be past this point and it's not my fault if you choose to read them.

Parents Should Do Their Own Parenting

Posted December 28, 2008 - 10:31am

The Internet is an, at times, very unsavoury place. But it can also give you access to information you probably would not have found or had access to at any other time in human history.

But there are too many people in our society who aren't doing their job properly and have the potential to ruin the Internet for the rest of us.

Parents.

The New Toy

Posted December 16, 2008 - 7:53pm

The best advice I can give regarding photography is to never get a DSLR. You'll either always be wanting, or always be broke.

A short while ago I thought I could get away with a bargain on a DSLR lens. A Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO. Turns out... There's no such thing as a bargain.

Ever since I got my Canon EOS 350D, I've been told by many people to never go for a third party lens. Since I never had much money to invest in new and better lenses, it was never really a problem. But one day I started looking about and decided to replace the kit lens with something better, I was drawn to the Sigma lens mostly for it's price. At $485AU it was a down right bargain.

The People Are Stirring

Posted December 13, 2008 - 9:21pm

Beware Stephen Conroy, your time in parliament will soon be coming to an end.

Anti-internet-censorship protests took place around Australia today in seven cities. While the Sydney protest might of been only around 300 strong, the next protests will be bigger and louder.

It also seems that the only major ISP interested in running a trial of the censorship filter is also very outspoken about why they want to be involved in the trial - to prove that it will not work.

I'm hoping that when the censorship plan is shelve, that Stephen Conroy is shelved as well.

PlayStation Home Beta

Posted November 28, 2008 - 10:27pm

This morning I woke up to a strange email in my inbox. A redeem code to access the PlayStation Home beta. Why was this strange? Because as far as I was aware beta codes were only being given out in the US and Asian Territories.

So, excitedly I entered the code and downloaded the small (77MB) install for Home. After it installed, I fired it up... It wants to reserve 3GB of my. Okay, I can let that go. I've seen worse PS3 required installs.

F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin Refused Classification

Posted November 28, 2008 - 5:08pm

Michael Atkinson (ultimately) strikes again. The OFLC has refused classification to F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin.

Michael Atkinson, if you're unaware, is the Attorney General for South Australia. For an R18+ rating to come into effect all Attorney Generals have to agree to it. Whilst the others have agreed, he is still holding out. See my previous rant for a bit more information.

Oh, and if you needed another reason to hate the guy... He's a supporter for the plan to censor the internet in Australia.

Video Game Censorship and Sock Puppets

Posted October 15, 2008 - 12:41pm

Funniest thing I've read in a newspaper article in a long time...

Since there are only two people left in the country who think Australia doesn't need an R18+ rating for games – those being South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson and the sock puppet on his hand – I won't preach to the choir and labour that point.

That quote comes from this opinion piece written by Yahtzee of Zero Punctuation fame.

I'm a big believer in a proper rating system for video games in Australia. Yes, that means an R18+ rating. No I'm not a axe murdering, blood loving, crazy person (or am I?). Why shouldn't an adult in Australia be able to play the video game as it was intended.

The average age of the gamer in Australia is now 28. Twenty-freaking-eight. Our rating system needs to reflect that. Not some crazy "games are bad, mmmkay" thinking by Michael Atkinson where if a game can't by played by a child then no adult can play it either.

As a side point, I'm also a big believer in parents not being complete fucking asshats about games. If you buy your precious snowflake Timmy GTA4 for his 13th birthday, you have absolutely no rights to complain about the violence or themes in the game as it was clearly marked MA15+ on the cover. Take some damn responsibility for your own choices for once and stop trying to ruin everyone else's fun.