May 2013

xkcd’s Interstellar Memes Graphic, or Stellar Distance Measured by Age of Pop Culture Phrases

I love xkcd.com. It’s a thought-provoking, often hilarious, sometimes sobering stick figure strip. The strip was conceived by Randall Monroe, who describes himself thusly: I’m just this guy, you know? I’m a CNU graduate with a degree in physics. Before starting xkcd, I worked on robots at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. As of June 2007 I live in Massachusetts. In my spare time I climb things, open strange doors, and go to goth clubs dressed as a frat guy so I can stand around and look terribly uncomfortable. At frat parties I do the same thing, but the…

Music Diary, News

Google Launches Spotify-like ‘Google Play Music All Access’

For a couple of years or more, there has been constant speculation about when we would see an ‘iRadio’ service from Apple, with some more reasonable speculation that by capitulating to streaming price demands they might have something by this June. Google has also been rumored to be working on a similar service, though more of an ‘on demand’ service like Rdio or Spotify than the Pandora-alike service Apple is reportedly working on. Well, today at Google I/O, they announced Google Play Music All Access. The service is pretty much identical to Spotify and Rdio, but is unique in one…

Crowdfunding, Yum Log

Lumi Wine Wall Looks to Upcycle Used Wine Casks with Kickstarter Campaign

I’ve got a fairly decent size wine collection, but I wouldn’t call what I do with my bottles “cellaring.” That implies that I’m intentionally saving it for a future date when the wine has matured or perhaps become more valuable. The hundred or so bottles of good juice that are in various racks and shelves around my house are merely bottles I haven’t drunk yet. I’ll get to you soon enough, my pretties! So I’ve never invested in a full cellar system or a large wine fridge, since I like to keep my favorite bottles within arms reach. But there’s…

Game Diary, Reviews

F1: 2012 Review for PlayStation 3

With the 64th Formula One Season well underway and the Grand Prix de Monaco coming on May 26, racing fans should definitely try out F1 2012, which lets players experience the 2012 F1 season and/or compete online or offline against other players. Indianapolis 500 fans can also get an exciting experience from this quality game, which captures this racing worldwide experience very well. The Hype The glamour. The exhilaration. The intensity. The speed. With drivers cruising a smooth 200 mph — minimum — and cutthroat teams carving out dynasties of speed, Formula One is the most elite racing circle in…

Game Diary, Reviews

Isla Dorada – Episode 1: The Sands of Ephranis HD for iPad Review

Having just come off of the euphoria that was Special Enquiry Detail 2, I was ready for my next hidden-object puzzle adventure. It comes in the form of an island-based game called Isla Dorada – Episode 1: The Sands of Ephranis HD, which has you taking on the role of Jessica Pandora, an archeologist drawn to a hidden site sought by many treasure hunters. What happens to her once she arrives, and is this a good game? Let’s take a look and see!

Editorials

Apple Listens to Suggestions! (Wish Fulfillment Edition)

So a few weeks ago, my daughter Maggie got all hot and heavy into Dr. Who. (I think for her it boils down to “David Tennant is hot!”, but for a nerd Dad, any excuse to get into something like Dr. Who is a good one!) Because not all the old episodes are available on NetFlix streaming, Maggie asked if she could purchase a season or two from iTunes. So in lieu of an allowance that week, yes, she got to purchase a season of Dr. Who. The problem, though, was that as soon as I purchased them, I had to download…

Vehicles & Gear

2013 Chevrolet Suburban is the Prairie Schooner of the Modern World

The Suburban Carryall – prairie schooner of the modern era, the longest-running nameplate in the automotive industry, the original SUV. As Chevrolet heads into fall production of its iconic Suburban fullsize family hauler, it enters the 79th year of production of the model all the while keeping faithful to its initial concept of spaciousness and capability. The 2013 Suburban is built on the GMT900 body-on-frame truck platform underpinning all of its current pickup and fullsize SUV models. It is offered in two- or four-wheel drive and in half- (1500) and three-quarter- (2500) ton models. Powering the 1500 series (like the…

Health and Fitness

Recovery Is Training, too – The Monday Mile

This is one of those things I fear saying out loud, but I have never been sidelines for more than a day or two with a running injury. I recognize that I am not normal – I have a good running posture and form, good joints, and a fast recovery. I tend to bounce back from ‘doing something stupid’ (my wife’s mantra) pretty quickly As a result I avoid giving much advice – because I am always on the edge of stupidity! So when Judie decided to use a RunKeeper 5K training plan – and quickly ended up with an…

Game Diary, Reviews

Special Enquiry Detail 2 – Engaged to Kill HD for iPad Review

It has been nearly two years since I reviewed the iPad version of Special Enquiry Detail: The Hand that Feeds, and I absolutely loved it. The sequel came out for PC a while back, but has just now arrived for iPhone . Let’s dig in and see if this story and character driven hidden object puzzle adventure can live up to the original! Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version is here.; available in the Mac App Store Developer: Floodlight Games / G5 Entertainment Description: Special Enquiry Detail 2 has loads of…

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-hands-love-people-5701251/

Editorials

Breast Cancer and Elective Mastectomies – If You Knew You Had a Faulty Gene, Would You Delete It?

I am 46, and I have been getting a yearly mammogram every year since I turned 40; six mammograms, and so far each one has been normal. Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling apprehensive every time I have to step up to the machine, and it doesn’t keep me from worrying during the “manual examination” when I go in for a yearly checkup with my gynecologist. Cancer is scary; cancer that attacks your lady parts seems even more so. I can’t imagine what it would be like to watch my mother suffer…

Reviews

Windows 8 Start Menu Reviver Review

If you’ve read my review of the Toshiba Z930 Ultrabook, then you know two things: I loved the computer, and I hated Windows 8. Much of that animosity comes from the awful Start screen/Dashboard, which is obviously designed for touch interfaces and not mouses and keyboards. ReviverSoft thinks they can help people like me with their newest product, the Start Menu Reviver. Can it get me to accept Windows 8, or at least tolerate it? Read on to find out! Installing and setting up Start Menu Reviver is a snap. Once you download it, there’s a quick setup that remaps…

Gear Bits

Mitchell’s Gear, Spring 2013

We all have our selection of favorite gear; you know, the equipment we have that we actually keep with us on a regular basis. So spring seemed like a good time to take a renewed look at the gear various members of the GD team actually use. First up — from Gear Diary’s Australian Bureau — Mitchell Oke. My job takes me on the road a lot, so my laptop bag is never more than a few metres away, packed with all the gear that I might need when I’m out of the office.

Reviews

Pocket Informant Pro for iOS 3.0 Sneak Preview and Review

Let me start off by saying that I’ve never used Pocket Informant. I knew of its existence, but I hadn’t given it much thought because the built-in iOS calendar app worked well enough for me … how wrong I was. But when Alex Kac, CEO and Founder of developer WebIS, invited us to check out a sneak preview of the 3.0 version of their productivity app, I couldn’t resist. As soon as the app was installed, I was instantly impressed with how detailed this tool can get with my time and task management. As soon as you install the app,…

News

Chris Hadfield Says Goodbye to the ISS in a Really Cool Way.

How many ways can you say goodbye? Just waving or saying goodbye is one of the first things we learn as we’re growing up. There’s almost no wrong way to do it. We’ve all done it. However not many of us have said goodbye to the ISS and it’s crew. International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield did a cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity before he left the ISS, and he posted it to Youtube; it’s one of those videos you just watch in awe the whole time.

News

Gmail, Drive and Google+ Storage is Now Unified

One by one, Google added services that all involved storage. It used to be 10 GB for Gmail, 5 GB for Google Drive and Google+ photos. Now it’s 15 GB total for free accounts and 30GB total for Google Apps accounts. Gmail, Drive or Google+ photos all count to the unified pool of storage. Not a surprise that this has happened, as it just seemed to be the right way to go. Some people use more for Gmail storage. Some use more storage for documents. Some upload a lot of pictures to Google+. With a unified pool of storage,…

Game Diary, Reviews

Star Trek: The Video Game Review on PlayStation 3

This third person action-shooter game takes place after the high quality 2009 Star Trek film and before this year’s sequel Star Trek Into Darkness. Single player and cooperative/multiplayer (online and offline in split screen) modes are available. The Hype The award-winning Star Trek game casts players for the first time ever as Kirk and Spock in a totally original co-op experience worthy of gamers and fans. Set in the new canon of director and producer J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) reboot, players will be immersed in the game’s rich story and action-packed combat. Developed by acclaimed Ontario-based developers Digital Extremes (Bioshock…

News

Amazon Introduces Coins for Kindle Fire Users

My sons will be super excited to learn that Amazon has provided their Kindle accounts with 500 free Amazon Coins which is basically worth $5. The company just announced the coins which can be used to buy apps, games and in app purchases from the Amazon App Store and on the Kindle Fire. While it sounds like each is worth a penny, it is actually an even better deal since there are discounts when users buy additional coins in bulk. Savings of up to 10% can be attained buying the coins, so if/when you stock up, go big! I can…

Reviews

The ContourRoam2 HD Action Video Camera Lets You Capture Life On the Go

When it comes to HD action cameras there are a few key “musts” the device needs to have if you are going to take it seriously. It has to be tough. After all, action cameras need to endure bumps, bruises, vibration and moisture. It has to be mountable, since an action camera that can only sit on a tripod is called… a camera. It has to be simple to use, since having to stop in the middle of an activity to turn the camera on or off defeats the purpose. And, of course, it needs to take good quality video…

Reviews

Scosche boomBOTTLE Weatherproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

“Another Bluetooth speaker?” Elana asked when the package arrived? (Okay she actually didn’t say that but she COULD have said it, considering just how many Bluetooth speakers we have reviewed in recent months.) Yes, the Scosche boomBOTTLE is yet another Bluetooth speaker that has made its way into the marketplace. This one, however, is an award winner, having been recognized at CES 2013 this past January. Why does this Bluetooth speaker stand out? Does it deserve the recognition? Let’s take a look so you can decide for yourself.

Reviews

Orbino Pantera Cinque iPhone 5 Case Review – Luxurious Leather for Your Personal Communicator

I got into a funk not too long ago; because I had dropped my iPhone and managed to ding it up a bit, I knew I needed to change my device carry habits. I already knew that I wouldn’t be interested in a rubber or plastic iPhone case, and while the right wooden case might have appealed to me, I was ready to try something different. I was going for leather, and as I had on my iPad mini, I was going for handmade. So at the same time I placed the order for my Orbino iPad miniPadova case, I…

News

Carry Your Laptop in Style This Summer with the New booq Boa Squeeze

Last summer I was on a train going down to Washington, and as I was getting off at my destination, the person in front of me was carrying a backpack that caught my eye. It had an unusual shape, was rather refined, and it looked great. I got close enough to see that it was a booq backpack. When I got to my hotel I grabbed my iPad, searched the booq site, and I learned that it was the booq Boa Squeeze. Fast forward to this yearm and booq has just announced the new Boa squeeze. Like the original, it looks…

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