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Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wii And Playstation3: The Latest Battle Of The Gaming Consoles
It seems almost like a Christmas ritual: there's a Next Big Thing in the video game world almost every holiday season. Last year featured a particularly interesting competition between the new gaming hardware put on the market by Nintendo and their prime competitor, Sony with its PlayStation series.
The Sony PS3 is the high-end, bells-and-whistles choice between the two. It includes high-definition graphics, a hard disk, and a Blu-ray Disc drive that delivers great image quality. The top tier 60GB hard drive version also includes a hefty $600 retail price. Nintendo's Wii (pronounced "we") costs $250 and builds in Wi-Fi (but not ethernet). Like the PS3, it has an SD Card slot and can display photos, but its standard-def DVD drive can't yet play movies (Nintendo and Sonic Solutions are working on that).
What Nintendo does have that keeps it in the game is a unique gaming remote device (the Wiimote) and an enormous library of games. The PS3 enters the market with significantly more horsepower and better graphics, but their game options are, at this point, fairly limited. Wii came on the market with 62 games available; the PS3 opened with an inventory of 20 games.
PC World's review provides a clean portrayal of the difference between the two systems. The graphics on the PS3 are state of the art 1080p high-definition and present a new level of quality for gamers. The Wii's graphic capability is limited to standard definition, which is equivalent to the PS2, Sony's last (and highly successful) video game console. However the Wii has a remote gaming control that utilizes motion-sensing technology, so that the gamers' motions with the remote are mimicked in the game. If you're playing football, a pass requires a passing motion with the remote. A sword fight will require a little air-fencing as part of the game participation.
The intuitive nature of the Wii remote is its strength, along with the relatively inexpensive cost compared to the PS3. Wii also has an additional controller called the Nunchuk which is a joystick-type device that works in conjunction with the motion-sensing remote.
The graphics and multiple uses (the PS3 includes a Blu-ray HD DVD player) are what make the Sony product attractive. When they both came on the market, the fact that each relied on separate characteristics to define their value has made for an interesting market contest.
The PS3 is the high-horsepower (and high priced) option on the market. It can handle HD DVDs, play back your digital photographs, and connect to the internet with a built in browser. Its graphics are unparalleled, and it comes with a decent game inventory that will at least get you started. It too has a new controller, one that utilizes a tilt feature that is a token effort at motion sensitivity.
With the Wii, Nintendo decided to forego the digital video wars and focus on a simple box with unique controls that is designed for fun. The Wii can play GameCube games (Nintendo's last offering) and has been introduced with a new addition to the chart-busting Zelda game series. While the Wii hasn't done much to upgrade the visual quality of the gaming experience, it has added substantial new dimension to the gaming process itself. It too can be utilized for web access.
Nintendo's decision to target so-called "casual gamers" seems to have paid off in the short run. It's too early to pick the long term winner; both companies limited their Christmas product issue in order to ensure sellouts and high product demand. The PS3 definitely has a price-break issue that will offset some gamers' lust for the best graphics out there. On the other hand, it's a system with a great future. Wii's future is now, for the most part, and the product issues an intriguing invitation for a substantially new gaming experience, even if it occurs using last year's graphics.
The Sony PS3 is the high-end, bells-and-whistles choice between the two. It includes high-definition graphics, a hard disk, and a Blu-ray Disc drive that delivers great image quality. The top tier 60GB hard drive version also includes a hefty $600 retail price. Nintendo's Wii (pronounced "we") costs $250 and builds in Wi-Fi (but not ethernet). Like the PS3, it has an SD Card slot and can display photos, but its standard-def DVD drive can't yet play movies (Nintendo and Sonic Solutions are working on that).
What Nintendo does have that keeps it in the game is a unique gaming remote device (the Wiimote) and an enormous library of games. The PS3 enters the market with significantly more horsepower and better graphics, but their game options are, at this point, fairly limited. Wii came on the market with 62 games available; the PS3 opened with an inventory of 20 games.
PC World's review provides a clean portrayal of the difference between the two systems. The graphics on the PS3 are state of the art 1080p high-definition and present a new level of quality for gamers. The Wii's graphic capability is limited to standard definition, which is equivalent to the PS2, Sony's last (and highly successful) video game console. However the Wii has a remote gaming control that utilizes motion-sensing technology, so that the gamers' motions with the remote are mimicked in the game. If you're playing football, a pass requires a passing motion with the remote. A sword fight will require a little air-fencing as part of the game participation.
The intuitive nature of the Wii remote is its strength, along with the relatively inexpensive cost compared to the PS3. Wii also has an additional controller called the Nunchuk which is a joystick-type device that works in conjunction with the motion-sensing remote.
The graphics and multiple uses (the PS3 includes a Blu-ray HD DVD player) are what make the Sony product attractive. When they both came on the market, the fact that each relied on separate characteristics to define their value has made for an interesting market contest.
The PS3 is the high-horsepower (and high priced) option on the market. It can handle HD DVDs, play back your digital photographs, and connect to the internet with a built in browser. Its graphics are unparalleled, and it comes with a decent game inventory that will at least get you started. It too has a new controller, one that utilizes a tilt feature that is a token effort at motion sensitivity.
With the Wii, Nintendo decided to forego the digital video wars and focus on a simple box with unique controls that is designed for fun. The Wii can play GameCube games (Nintendo's last offering) and has been introduced with a new addition to the chart-busting Zelda game series. While the Wii hasn't done much to upgrade the visual quality of the gaming experience, it has added substantial new dimension to the gaming process itself. It too can be utilized for web access.
Nintendo's decision to target so-called "casual gamers" seems to have paid off in the short run. It's too early to pick the long term winner; both companies limited their Christmas product issue in order to ensure sellouts and high product demand. The PS3 definitely has a price-break issue that will offset some gamers' lust for the best graphics out there. On the other hand, it's a system with a great future. Wii's future is now, for the most part, and the product issues an intriguing invitation for a substantially new gaming experience, even if it occurs using last year's graphics.
Wii Fitness With The Wii Fit
The Nintendo Wii revolution continues with the pending launch of the new Wii Fitness products as announced at this year's E3 2007. This brand new product from Nintendo, called Wii Fit, will take the form of a balance board controller accessory and a bundled exercise game.
The Wii Fitness products take off from where Wii Sports started by introducing active-play games that are not only great fun to play, but also great exercise as well. In fact the Wii balance board brings exercise and fitness for the entire body. The software and balance board is aimed at a large array of exercise based fun, including dancing, aerobics, balancing, and of course games.
The Wii Fit software uses the balance board to compile data in order to plan your fitness progress over a period of time. The software's fitness measurement system can collect data about an individual in order to keep track of their fitness goals. The fitness readings are presented in the way of a graph that measures your body mass index (BMI) and will adapt your Mii character accordingly. The Mii character is a animated character that represents an individual player's physique, so it's important to enter your stats correctly for accurate progress analysis.
Once your personal settings are calibrated, you can then start to have fun playing the fitness mini games. One of the most fun Wii Fitness games looks like the football heading game, in which the players are required to move their heads in the right direction to head the oncoming balls. Other mini games include doing hula hoops by shaking your hips and a marble madness style game where your balance is key to winning. The more serious fitness style games include doing strenuous balancing exercises, press-ups, and yoga.
The release date has still not been announced and neither has the price, but the price is rumoured to be in the range of $49 to $69. What the new Nintendo Wii Fitness products will hopefully bring is a whole new line up of interactive games. Who knows yet, but I can already imagine the likes of skiing, snowboarding, skate boarding, and so on. Maybe these future games could be used in conjunction with the Wii remote for a complete interactive experience?
Whatever happens next, the Nintendo Wii and the new Wii Fitness range are taking the console to a new level that the likes of Microsoft and Sony will find tough to match, especially at Nintendo's affordable prices.
The Wii Fitness products take off from where Wii Sports started by introducing active-play games that are not only great fun to play, but also great exercise as well. In fact the Wii balance board brings exercise and fitness for the entire body. The software and balance board is aimed at a large array of exercise based fun, including dancing, aerobics, balancing, and of course games.
The Wii Fit software uses the balance board to compile data in order to plan your fitness progress over a period of time. The software's fitness measurement system can collect data about an individual in order to keep track of their fitness goals. The fitness readings are presented in the way of a graph that measures your body mass index (BMI) and will adapt your Mii character accordingly. The Mii character is a animated character that represents an individual player's physique, so it's important to enter your stats correctly for accurate progress analysis.
Once your personal settings are calibrated, you can then start to have fun playing the fitness mini games. One of the most fun Wii Fitness games looks like the football heading game, in which the players are required to move their heads in the right direction to head the oncoming balls. Other mini games include doing hula hoops by shaking your hips and a marble madness style game where your balance is key to winning. The more serious fitness style games include doing strenuous balancing exercises, press-ups, and yoga.
The release date has still not been announced and neither has the price, but the price is rumoured to be in the range of $49 to $69. What the new Nintendo Wii Fitness products will hopefully bring is a whole new line up of interactive games. Who knows yet, but I can already imagine the likes of skiing, snowboarding, skate boarding, and so on. Maybe these future games could be used in conjunction with the Wii remote for a complete interactive experience?
Whatever happens next, the Nintendo Wii and the new Wii Fitness range are taking the console to a new level that the likes of Microsoft and Sony will find tough to match, especially at Nintendo's affordable prices.
Wildlife Photography
Just close your eyes for a moment and try to visualize what the essence of wildlife photography might be. You are bound to see the mesmerizing images of a lion or a cheetah going for the kill. This is because this class of photography aims to captures and captivate you! If you have a passion for photography and if you love being nature, raw and unforgiving, then photographing wildlife is the ideal choice for you.
There are certain key factors that will play an important role in shaping each image while drawing you out for a ‘kill’. You just can’t pick your camera and walk right into a game hunting reserve to shoot a wild animal. You will have to learn ad unlearn. The results, when drawn out of your camera, will be well worth the wait despite the difficult but thrilling process involved in shooting the game.
There are some commandments that you need to follow in wildlife photography and they are:
1) Tracking: You need to study and develop skills that will help you to track a tiger in 100 sq miles of forest land. Tracking is important for the perfect photograph and you can do it by following the paw marks, and the feces.
2) Patience: patience is a big virtue and if you want a great picture, you will have to wait. Remember, you are in their territory!
3) Eye Contact: One of the important rules of photography in the wild is: never try to make eye contact with a wild animal that is bigger and more dangerous like lions, cheetahs, leopards and even wilder beasts.
4) Timing: Timing is synonymous to animal photography. If you are not there at the appropriate time then you will most certainly miss the opportunity. You can achieve perfection in timing by applying the watch and wait theory.
5) Proximity: Don’t get too close to predators as their behaviors can be erratic and dangerous. If you are using a digital SLR camera with a telephoto lens, then you can even take wildlife photographs from a distance.
6) Clothes: During photography, it is always advisable to wear clothes with earthen tones rather than camouflage.
7) Movement: Wild animals respond to movements and even the slightest movement can scare the nervous types like the Deers and Zebras. Sometimes, you will also have to ‘stalk’ your subject, as a predator stalks its prey.
Now that you know the various aspects of photographing wildlife, all you need is a good camera. Any camera that offers the following makes for a good buy:
It should provide a manual override of automatic functions. The camera should have an auto-focus as well as manual focus option.
The camera should allow you to set the required shutter speed and aperture.
It should also have an option for mechanical remote release.
Your camera should have a wide angle lens starting at 28mm and can go up to 70mm or 105mm. It should also have a telephoto zoom between 70mm and 100mm and capable of reaching 300mm.
Some of the other accessories required are a polarizing filter, warming filter (81A or B), UV filter, lens hood and the camera bag.
Once you have the camera and lenses in place, you should start from your backyard to get a taste of it before trying out serious wildlife photography. Don’t forget to enjoy your ‘shoot’!
There are certain key factors that will play an important role in shaping each image while drawing you out for a ‘kill’. You just can’t pick your camera and walk right into a game hunting reserve to shoot a wild animal. You will have to learn ad unlearn. The results, when drawn out of your camera, will be well worth the wait despite the difficult but thrilling process involved in shooting the game.
There are some commandments that you need to follow in wildlife photography and they are:
1) Tracking: You need to study and develop skills that will help you to track a tiger in 100 sq miles of forest land. Tracking is important for the perfect photograph and you can do it by following the paw marks, and the feces.
2) Patience: patience is a big virtue and if you want a great picture, you will have to wait. Remember, you are in their territory!
3) Eye Contact: One of the important rules of photography in the wild is: never try to make eye contact with a wild animal that is bigger and more dangerous like lions, cheetahs, leopards and even wilder beasts.
4) Timing: Timing is synonymous to animal photography. If you are not there at the appropriate time then you will most certainly miss the opportunity. You can achieve perfection in timing by applying the watch and wait theory.
5) Proximity: Don’t get too close to predators as their behaviors can be erratic and dangerous. If you are using a digital SLR camera with a telephoto lens, then you can even take wildlife photographs from a distance.
6) Clothes: During photography, it is always advisable to wear clothes with earthen tones rather than camouflage.
7) Movement: Wild animals respond to movements and even the slightest movement can scare the nervous types like the Deers and Zebras. Sometimes, you will also have to ‘stalk’ your subject, as a predator stalks its prey.
Now that you know the various aspects of photographing wildlife, all you need is a good camera. Any camera that offers the following makes for a good buy:
It should provide a manual override of automatic functions. The camera should have an auto-focus as well as manual focus option.
The camera should allow you to set the required shutter speed and aperture.
It should also have an option for mechanical remote release.
Your camera should have a wide angle lens starting at 28mm and can go up to 70mm or 105mm. It should also have a telephoto zoom between 70mm and 100mm and capable of reaching 300mm.
Some of the other accessories required are a polarizing filter, warming filter (81A or B), UV filter, lens hood and the camera bag.
Once you have the camera and lenses in place, you should start from your backyard to get a taste of it before trying out serious wildlife photography. Don’t forget to enjoy your ‘shoot’!
Will The Xbox Have Long Term Staying Power?
Unless you've been living under a rock, then you've known about the release of the Xbox 360, the mother of all video game systems...well at leats until the Playstation 3 comes out in addition to the new Nintendo box currently code-named "Revolution." Anyway, by the end of the year, the Xbox 360 will have about 25 or so titles to choose from. And by the end of 2006 there should most likely be at least 100 titles. If you've seen the games in action then you know just how powerful this new system is when compared to the original Xbox or any other game console currently available. The games are nothing short of breathtaking. If there were more systems available then impulse buying for this thing would probably be through the roof. And finally you have the backwards compatitbility of the 360 that allows you to play the majority of the original Xbox games.
Now having said all of this, one would think that the life expectancy of the original Xbox is short at best. But is this really the case? Let's look at a few more details.
At this point the scarcity of the 360 is driving the price at places like Amazon and Ebay through the roof. I've seen prices as high as $1500 for some packages. Even if you get one for the retail price, it's still 3 times higher then the original Xbox, which is now typically in the low hundreds range. But the biggest reason the Xbox will not go away quietly is the same reason the Playstation 2 is still going strong...the games. People who've been buying and trading games for years now are not going to see the need to upgrade their system right away. At least not for a while. But even if they do, all one has to do is look at the success of the GameBoy and Playstation 2 and the loyalty of their users. Game developers still make games for these consoles because they still sell like hotcakes. It really is all about the games. Its the main reason you see free Xbox giveaways, and also the reason Microsoft takes a loss with every system they sell...or so they say.
So while the Xbox 360 may be the big boy on the block right now, don't write off the original Xbox just yet. It'll be around for a while and the best may be yet to come!
Now having said all of this, one would think that the life expectancy of the original Xbox is short at best. But is this really the case? Let's look at a few more details.
At this point the scarcity of the 360 is driving the price at places like Amazon and Ebay through the roof. I've seen prices as high as $1500 for some packages. Even if you get one for the retail price, it's still 3 times higher then the original Xbox, which is now typically in the low hundreds range. But the biggest reason the Xbox will not go away quietly is the same reason the Playstation 2 is still going strong...the games. People who've been buying and trading games for years now are not going to see the need to upgrade their system right away. At least not for a while. But even if they do, all one has to do is look at the success of the GameBoy and Playstation 2 and the loyalty of their users. Game developers still make games for these consoles because they still sell like hotcakes. It really is all about the games. Its the main reason you see free Xbox giveaways, and also the reason Microsoft takes a loss with every system they sell...or so they say.
So while the Xbox 360 may be the big boy on the block right now, don't write off the original Xbox just yet. It'll be around for a while and the best may be yet to come!
World Satellite TV - Why Should You Consider World Satellite TV Software?
World Satellite TV software is the rising star of personal computing entertainment. As with most innovative new technologies, this software is going where computers haven't been before. You can now watch satellite TV from your PC or laptop. You may ask yourself what benefits can be had over traditional dish satellite systems. Let's review the top 5 benefits of world satellite TV software here.
Cost would obviously be the first benefit to world satellite TV software. The average monthly fee for dish satellite TV ranges from $50 to $100 per month. Don't forget to add potential equipment fees and installation charges. Cable TV subscriptions can cost as much as dish systems or even more if you add lots of premium channels.
World satellite TV for PC software, however, charges only the cost of downloading the software. There are no monthly bills to pay after the initial download. Good quality satellite TV software costs can range from $40 to $100, but since it is a one time only fee, the long range cost is considerably less than dish or cable.
The technology of world satellite TV allows you to view sports, movies, and TV shows from around the world and since the software runs from your personal computer, you may be inclined to branch out and watch programs you might not watch otherwise.
Downloaded to a laptop computer, world satellite TV software becomes a wonderfully portable way to access your favorite TV channels from home, work or while travelling. Some people even take their laptop camping and hunting. The only thing neccessary is a reliable remote connection to the internet and a good power source for your laptop computer.
The ability to view TV channels in different languages is a great innovation for people not living in their home country. With world satellite TV, there are multiple foreign language channel choices. Watching TV from your homeland can make foreign travel or foreign residency much easier to bear.
Both traditional dish satellite systems and cable TV have their own unique benefits. They can be watched on a large screen TV and are generally a reliable form of entertainment. But for cost effectiveness, ease of use, extensive channel variety and portability, world Satellite TV is worth consideration.
Cost would obviously be the first benefit to world satellite TV software. The average monthly fee for dish satellite TV ranges from $50 to $100 per month. Don't forget to add potential equipment fees and installation charges. Cable TV subscriptions can cost as much as dish systems or even more if you add lots of premium channels.
World satellite TV for PC software, however, charges only the cost of downloading the software. There are no monthly bills to pay after the initial download. Good quality satellite TV software costs can range from $40 to $100, but since it is a one time only fee, the long range cost is considerably less than dish or cable.
The technology of world satellite TV allows you to view sports, movies, and TV shows from around the world and since the software runs from your personal computer, you may be inclined to branch out and watch programs you might not watch otherwise.
Downloaded to a laptop computer, world satellite TV software becomes a wonderfully portable way to access your favorite TV channels from home, work or while travelling. Some people even take their laptop camping and hunting. The only thing neccessary is a reliable remote connection to the internet and a good power source for your laptop computer.
The ability to view TV channels in different languages is a great innovation for people not living in their home country. With world satellite TV, there are multiple foreign language channel choices. Watching TV from your homeland can make foreign travel or foreign residency much easier to bear.
Both traditional dish satellite systems and cable TV have their own unique benefits. They can be watched on a large screen TV and are generally a reliable form of entertainment. But for cost effectiveness, ease of use, extensive channel variety and portability, world Satellite TV is worth consideration.
Wow Gold Buying Safety Measures
Ok, you’re sick and tired of grinding and working 8 hours of day in World of Warcraft to make that 100 gold. It’s time to buy some WoW Gold and buy it now. But wait, who do you buy from? Who can you trust? You want the best price but you don’t want to get ripped off by some fly by night gold seller… believe me there are plenty of them. I’ll out line a good starting point for you so you know what to look for when buying.
Before you buy there are a few ground rules and precautions you should know. First, it may seem like common sense, but never give out your password or login information to any gold seller. They don’t need it! They only need to know what server you’re on and where to meet you.
You also should check into the seller’s reputation. One simple tactic is googling their name and quickly looking over what others have said about them. Also if they use paypal as a payment method be sure they are a paypal certified merchant that accepts credit card payments. Sellers must go through a long process with paypal verifying their credit card, identity, address, and bank account. If anything goes wrong paypal can track them easily. Also paypal has a list of reputation points for all their merchant sellers. You can easily see how many sales the wow gold seller has made via paypal. I would recommend not buying from a seller with less than 10 sales.
Another thing I always do before buying wow gold is talk to someone! I know you might hate the thought of picking up the phone and calling to some company when all you want to do is click a button to order. So, don’t call. Talk to live support. Every good wow gold seller will have 24/7 live chat support. If they don’t, they can’t deliver your gold when you want it… now! So make sure you talk to someone before ordering even if all you do is ask them if they’re awake. This way they’ll know you’re ordering and be waiting to fulfill your order as soon as it comes through.
So use some common sense when buying World of Warcraft gold online. It’s easy to think you’re still in a safe game when you really need to consider the person or company you buy from fairly carefully before buying.
Before you buy there are a few ground rules and precautions you should know. First, it may seem like common sense, but never give out your password or login information to any gold seller. They don’t need it! They only need to know what server you’re on and where to meet you.
You also should check into the seller’s reputation. One simple tactic is googling their name and quickly looking over what others have said about them. Also if they use paypal as a payment method be sure they are a paypal certified merchant that accepts credit card payments. Sellers must go through a long process with paypal verifying their credit card, identity, address, and bank account. If anything goes wrong paypal can track them easily. Also paypal has a list of reputation points for all their merchant sellers. You can easily see how many sales the wow gold seller has made via paypal. I would recommend not buying from a seller with less than 10 sales.
Another thing I always do before buying wow gold is talk to someone! I know you might hate the thought of picking up the phone and calling to some company when all you want to do is click a button to order. So, don’t call. Talk to live support. Every good wow gold seller will have 24/7 live chat support. If they don’t, they can’t deliver your gold when you want it… now! So make sure you talk to someone before ordering even if all you do is ask them if they’re awake. This way they’ll know you’re ordering and be waiting to fulfill your order as soon as it comes through.
So use some common sense when buying World of Warcraft gold online. It’s easy to think you’re still in a safe game when you really need to consider the person or company you buy from fairly carefully before buying.
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