Thursday, April 1, 2010

Forever Geek

Forever Geek

Storage Problem? 1TB Toshiba Canvio Introduced

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 01:59 AM PDT

Got a storage problem? I know I do. That’s why when I first head about these new portable hard drives by Toshiba, I got a little excited. They come in four different flavors: 500GB, 640GB, 750GB, and 1TB, all for under $200. These are USB 2.0 drives, with no eSata or Firewire options. Right now the suggested list prices start at $119.99 for the 500, and move up to $199 for the 1TB, but Toshiba Direct has the 1TB now for $189, thanks to a $10 instant-savings deal. If black isn’t your thing, they also come in silver, blue, green and red, so you’ve got some options there as well.

This isn’t the cheapest drive on the market, though. Western Digital has a 1TB model up on NewEgg for $149, and it comes with a free case. They also have a Seagate FreeAgent model for $149 and it comes with a dock and a case. My theory is that once these things hit the streets that the Toshiba will come down in price, but that’s never a guarantee. Frankly, for the difference you could step up to a bigger model instead, assuming you’re OK with a larger footprint for the device.

PR Newswire via Geek.com

The first must-have iPad app

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 12:47 PM PDT

If you’re a geek, and you have a pulse, then at one time or another, you have wanted a PADD. That’s “Personal Access Data Device,” to any non-Trekkers out there.

I’m talking, of course, about the handheld computer of choice for crew members onboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. A few simple taps and gestures were all it took to manipulate this powerful personal tablet, and an enterprising (had to do it) fan out there has brought us one step closer to having a PADD of our own.

“Captain’s Log” is a simple little iPad app that doesn’t really do anything all that new or innovative — and that’s beside the point, anyway. At its core, Captain’s Log is just a skin for your iPad that makes it look more like a Star Trek PADD. And therein lies its genius.

A few simple taps and gestures are all it takes to make the iPad your very own command center, particularly if you’re a social media power user. Captain’s Log accesses your Twitter and Facebook accounts, as well as your email, allowing you to maintain constant contact.

It’s hardly the first app ever to do any of this stuff, but it’s definitely the geekiest. And it gets extra points in my book for assigning a star date to your posts.

Captain’s Log is not yet available on the App Store, so there’s no word yet on pricing, but one assumes it will become available any time now, probably to coincide with the Friday release of the iPad.

A loss for us all

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 07:50 AM PDT

Dick Giordano portrait

Giordano portrait illustration by colleague Michael Netzer

It is with great regret that I report the passing of Dick Giordano. He passed this last weekend away from complications of pneumonia at the age of 77.

Dick Giordano is one of those names that has been around for as long as I can remember, and he has bequeathed to all of us a lifetime of work. For many of us, especially the younger readers (and today, I get to include myself in that number), Dick Giordano was synonymous with DC, but he actually began his career at Charlton Comics, the original home of Blue Beetle, Captain Atom and the Question.

The first time I discovered Mr Giordano was in his role as inker on Crisis On Infinite Earths, and as he wrote the weekly column ‘Meanwhile’…’ in each issue, a column that immediately made you feel as if he was your friend. And friend indeed he was to the great legion of fans he has left behind, with a reputation of being a total gentleman.

Back in 1988 and the debate that led to the Creators Bill Of Rights, Dick Giordano was quoted by many as being a great advocate for DC. Still the diversity that was called for seems to have finally arrived in the industry, and Dick was instrumental in using that diversity in creating Future Comics. Future Comics only lasted for about two and a half years, but rumour has it (or at least Wikipedia) that Hollywood is still interested in using the properties.

I hope so, I feel that may well be a fitting tribute.

Tecmo Bowl Returns

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 04:55 AM PDT

When I was younger, I was all about Tecmo Bowl. Like any good geek, I wasn’t good at sports. Sure I tried, but it just never happened, no matter how many different sports I suited up for. Because of that, Games such as NHL 95, NBA Jam and Tecmo Bowl ruled my afternoons. There, in the comfort of my home, I could be a winner just like everyone else.

At this point, Madden has the lock on NFL properties, so you’re not going to get much in the way of competition. In fact, you’re not going to get anything but lame imitation teams, so most people don’t even try. That’s why when I hear about a competitor to the turducken-maker’s franchise, it perks up my ear.

Tecmo Bowl is back with Tecmo Bowl: Throwback. The crew at Game Trailers put up a trailer on Monday, and after discovering it then, I knew my life would never be the same. It’s coming out soon on the PlayStation Network and XBox Live Arcade. No work on a price, but who cares – I’m buying it. But what makes this new version so great?

First off, it’s new but it’s old. Same layout, same overhead view, same basic principles. But this time, the characters are HD cartoon versions of themselves and there’s a 3-D version as well. Not that it matters to me though, because I’ll be playing it full time on OG mode.

Want to see more? There are two videos after the break.
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