Nextar Q4-04 GPS

In a Tech Tuesday column for KOLD News 13 Live This Morning, Andy reviewed the Nextar Q4-04 - 4.3" Navigation System.

"...4.3 inch display...A built in speaker to the rear...A map of the 50 U.S. States is included on a 2GB SD Card which must be installed to navigate...

"...The Battery Life on the Q4-04 will give users about 2 and a half hours of use with a fully charged battery...and can be recharged fully after about 3 and a half hours. A USB cable, Wall Charger and Car charger is included..."

The only way to know the status of the charge is to turn the unit on; there is no external indicator of the status of the battery.

"...included mounting cradle which can then attach with a snap in to a rubber glass connector mounting bracket or dashboard mount disc attached to the mounting bracket...a nice mesh pouch is included to protect the unit...

"...A slide On Off switch at the back of the unit...the ability to play MP3 and WMA audio off a SD card as well as a photo slide show off an SD Card...A headphone jack...pricing at under $150..."

A stylus that slips into the body of the unit is included...but it would fall out of the unit we had.

I wish it had a "notepad" function so I could use the stylus to make notes.

SteelSeries mousepads

There were very rare times in my life where I had come close to finding wonderful mousepads: fast, flat, and large enough for me. Some that were fast...that did not seem to force me to drag my mouse around...were not large enough and I would run out of mousepad before the cursor would get to where I wanted it to go.

For this review I am using a Logitech MX400 Performance Laser Mouse. (It is my inexpensive default mouse of choice.)

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SteelSeries 5L

15 x 11 inches

0.2 inches thick

After removing the mousepad from the packaging I was very surprised to find that it is stiff and flat. (I expected it to be as flexible as a piece of cloth.)

It has five different layers:

the bottom layer has small, soft, non-slip rubber elements...

the next layer is a hard, plastic compound to hold the shape of the mousepad...

the middle layer is soft rubber foam, to soften the experience of the mousepad...

plastic-coated cloth is on top of that...

followed by a thin plastic coating.

And, boy, is this mousepad fast! 'Nuff said...it's fast...very fast.

Though most other mousepads I've used don't seem to have enough area, this one seems to be more than twice the width I need. I'm not complaining...

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Next I tried the SteelSeries SX.

It's considered to be a "medium-sized" mousepad: 12.6 x 10.6 x 0.08 inches...

The rubber base absorbs noise and vibrations, and it's made of fiber polished aluminum with an anodized oxide coating.

After removing this one from it's packaging, I had that "Christmassy-like" feeling as I grunted with joy. This mousepad is metal, and the bottom is rubber. I imagine it will always be much slicker and faster than the 5L.

A polishing cloth is provided...and what appears to be feet that you can add to the bottom of a mouse (so it will slide better).

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The SteelSeries 4D measures 11 x 10 inches with a thickness of 0.04 inches, and is double-sided for low and high sensitivity gamers. It's compatible with an optical, laser, and ball mouse.

A non-slip rubber base...as thin as netting (membrane thin, if you will)...is provided. Also included are feet that are attachable to a mouse.

When I opened the package, the thinness caught me off-guard...I wasn't prepared for it to be "so much of nothing".

I was worried that, because of its dimensions, there wouldn't be enough mousepad for me to like...but I do: I have yet to run out of real estate.

And, it's speedy side is just as fast as...if not faster than...the SX.

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There are many options in the QcK line...

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SteelSeries iron.lady QcK (pink)

SteelSeries iron.lady QcK heavy (white)

SteelSeries iron.lady QcK highlights:

- M-sized cloth mouse pad

- 11.6 x 8.3 x 0.08 inches

The iron.lady QcK is made of a high quality cloth material, providing a precise and consistent glide...The mouse pad is available in pink and white and features iron.lady branding.

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SteelSeries QcK mass highlights:

- M-sized cloth mouse pad

- Heavy thickness eliminates uneven surfaces

- 11.2 x 12.6 x 0.2 inches

SteelSeries QcK mass is a super thick mouse pad made of a high quality cloth material...

...This mouse pad features extremely heavy thickness which results in a very unique feeling. While the mouse pad is much more soft and comfortable to touch, the height is also fairly massive...Other mouse pads from SteelSeries are very thin, aiming to provide a high quality gaming surface, as close as possible to level of the tabletop it's used on.

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The SteelSeries QcK-line of mousepads are made of high quality cloth material, providing a precise and consistent glide. All mousepads feature a specially designed non-slip rubber base which prevents the pads from sliding, no matter what surface the mousepad is placed on.

SteelSeries QcK mini highlights:

- S-sized cloth mouse pad

- 9.8 x 8.3 inches, thickness 0.08 inches

SteelSeries QcK heavy highlights:

- XXL-sized cloth mouse pad

- Heavy thickness eliminates uneven surfaces

- 17.7 x 15.7 inches, thickness 023 inches

SteelSeries QcK+ highlights:

- XXL-sized cloth mouse pad

- 17.7 x 15.7 inches, thickness 0.08 inches

SteelSeries QcK highlights:

- M-sized cloth mouse pad

- 12.6 x 11.2 inches, thickness 0.08 inches

The mousepad I tried measures 12.5 by 10.5 inches (the "basic" model). It, literally, is a cloth: I unrolled it from its packaging.

I had greatly lowered my expectations for this model...and I was wrong. I had planned on telling you about experiencing drag between the mouse and the mousepad, but I cannot: if there is any, I don't notice it.

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Before you purchase a mousepad...of course...consider the size of the area you plan to use it. If you plan on taking the mousepad with you from place to place, it will need to fit in a bad (backpack, portfolio, etcetera).

Google over Bing?

The Catalyst Group has issued "Google vs. Bing – Search Engine Preference", a report that compares Microsoft’s new search engine with Google's.

"Our goal for this study was to gather users’ general impressions of the Google and Bing search engines, including overall functionality, presentation of content, and overall fit with user expectations and needs. We also wanted to see how much attention users paid to advertising space on the two sites."

(from the report)

"Most users preferred the Bing visual design and thought that it was slightly better in terms of organization and refinement options."

Overall reasons for preferring Google

• Familiarity

• Enhancements in Bing not enough to convert

• Already using other Google apps

Colbert reports on Goldblums Death

A Great reason not to take Twitter for everything on its Face!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Jeff Goldblum Will Be Missed
http://www.colbertnation.com/
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Jeff Goldblum

"American Nerd: The Story of My People"

From Simon & Schuster I received a copy of "American Nerd: The Story of My People" by Benjamin Nugent, and I will treasure it forever.

In my following review, I'll try to not give too much of the book away because it was very enjoyable to read...

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The first chapter establishes two types of nerds:
those who are by choice, behaviour, and/or interests...
and others who are forced into the classification by social labeling and catagorizing.

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After describing some basics of nerdiness, Nugent examines various types of nerds:

(page 128)
"...the nerd receives his calling from God or nature...the nerd is incapable of selling out."

Those who appreciate medieval culture...

Fake nerds (and why they would choose to pretend to be)...

(page 142)
Asperger's syndrome may cause behaviour that is deemed nerdiness...
[I have never been diagnosed for this, but from all I've read of it, it would explain a lot of my life. Some of my kids have been diagnosed with (some) autism...]

(An Author's Note states that some names may have been changed to protect privacy.)
There's a chapter (page 111) about a guy Nugent knew in high school, Darren, that proves that some choose nerdum to escape uncomfortableness in their life. (I can relate to Darren.)

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An interesting passage to me is found on page 20, in the second paragraph, where Nugent addresses our/nerds preferences for people to "say what you mean, mean what you say". There are times in my life where I've been considered to be too literal: I hate the phrase, "wait a second".

Rather than participate in social gaming, and needing to decipher signals that are being sent, we/nerds prefer obvious communication.

I remember the many "pick-up lines" I've never had...the closest I've ever been able to come to flirting is: "I'm going to bed...you are welcome to join me."

(Page 53)

Nerds tend to be more rational and logical, than emotional; the general populace tends to be more spontanious and seek gratification before considering potential consequences and outcomes.

As stated on page 37, nerds prefer to focus on expertise and can prefer to be (in general) non-confrontational to social engagement.

When we do attempt to engage, where most flirt to show interest (as described on page 106): "...debate is something nerds to in order to meet other nerds they can hit on..."

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Historical figures who were probable nerds are proposed, and Nugent used some fictional characters to explain the evolution of "manliness" and its descriptive components.

When he compared "nerds" to "jocks" and referenced Skolnick and Urkel, I waited for Doc Savage (whom I consider to be a nerd and jock) to be mentioned. I was dissappointed...

He explains how the term "sissy" evolved, which should have been obvious, but I never thought about it.

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While expounding on nerdy characterizations on television he mentions the television show "Freaks and Geeks", which I have never seen. I waited for a mention of "Square Pegs", which I have seen and thought would be a similar comparison to his descriptions, but it was not. It left me wondering if he was aware of the show, or felt it did not apply...

(This book was written before The Big Bang Theory was on CBS.)

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His interpretation of ethnicities pleasantly surprised me. I had never taken into consideration that some traits are due to culture. There is a probable reason those of Jewish decent seemed to read at an early age (page 80), and why nerd culture appreciates Japanese techno-art (page 82).

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"American Nerd: The Story of My People" is available as an ebook.

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I strongly suggest you buy the book:

Add it to your collection because it's a good read.

If you are a nerd, and/or know or love a nerd.

Maybe you will learn something about yourself and your peers...maybe others will learn about you...maybe there will be more understanding.

Buy the book, highlight the parts you feel appropriate, and (assuming the recipient can read) give the book to someone who doesn't understand you, and you wish they did...or at least would try to understand you.

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I miss my slide rule...

2009 Xbox Project Natal Announcement

This looks awesome!

No Strings (or Controllers) Attached.Introducing Project Natal, a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak you and your friends can jump into the fun -- the only experience needed is life experience.

Ubuntu 9 on Steriods reviewed by Gandalfdjh & Mike-Linux-NL

Ubuntu 9 on Steroids

Super OS - formerly called Super Ubuntu - is a modified version of Ubuntu 9.04.

Besides being Ubuntu, it also includes:

Java

Ubuntu Tweak

Startup Manager

Better Internet experience with MSN, Opera, Firefox, Google Gears

Portable application available right out of the box - so to speak

Multimedia support - VLC, DVD-playback, MP3 and other codecs - improved

App Runner is included too.

System beep has been disabled

It has its own repository in addition to the official Ubuntu repository

Uses the commonly used KDE and QT libraries for easier deployment of software.

Has a live USB creator - cd2usb - To create a Live USB, just use usb-creator (already included on Super OS itself), or cd2usb (windows program: already included on the DVD)

Information:

Latest Version: 9.04

Live DVD and Install DVD (x86 - 32 bits)

ISO MD5 hash: 1aee96a429446c6d1b6337b52d249b33

ISO size: about 990 MB

Upgrading from Ubuntu (+ Kubuntu + Xubuntu) 9.04

1. Install the Super OS repository
2. Check for updates (type sudo apt-get update on the terminal)
3. Install the package super-os (using synaptic or the command line: sudo apt-get install super-os )
4. Done!

If you need help: FAQ

Download available at:

Hacktolive

Mininova

Mike-Linux-NL had the following to say about Super OS:

I am running Super OS also now, since a week, and I must say, that I really like it! Before switching to Ubuntu/gnome finally, I was using Opensuse 11.0 with kde 3.5 which I also tweaked out, so I had support for almost anything.

But on recommendation of a good friend of mine (wirelesspacket), I finally made the switch. In fact, I had to, since kde 3.5 is not included anymore in any new distro, and they will drop

support for it in a while. And I had worked with ubuntu before, so I knew what I could expect.

However, this Super OS was a good choice for me since a lot of packages were pre installed.

some of those packages were:

- skype

- amsn (msn clone)

- pidgin (multi IM)

and all stuff that is mentioned in Gandalfdjh's post.

Rythmbox allowed me to add online radio stations, and they worked straight away. On my dad's regular ubuntu box it does not work, so this gives an example of the extra features in Super OS.

Also VLC player is very good and supports almost every media file.

For myself, I encountered a few problems, like skype. PulseAudio still does not work right on every pc. but with a little workaround I removed pulse audio, AFTER I switched everything in the sound settings to ALSA only, and disabled system sounds. After a little sudo apt-get remove pulseaudio and a reboot, I had no issues anymore with skype.

For Twitter, I installed Gwibber, which has support twitter,identica, jaiku,rss etc. very good client.

All in all the migration from opensuse kde to ubuntu gnome was not that hard. after some tweaks in themes and wallpapers and other stuff, I ended up, having this desktop, with compiz fusion support, screenlets etc.

Please check out the screen shot of Mike's: Screen 1

Both Mike-Linux-NL and myself hope that you find Super OS an operating system that will meet your needs. We recommend that you try it!

A recommendation: upgrading from plain ubuntu still causes some issues. the best option is a fresh install. Over wubi, it will not install the Super OS packages, we tried it out - so the best solution is a fresh install - its done within 30 mins!