I’ve been thinking of selling my current MacBook Pro and going to an iMac/MacBook setup.

The iMac isn’t really a pro-grade computer but with the work I’m doing, I’m thinking it’s quite enough already. I don’t really need that much computing power that would necessitate buying a Mac Pro, in fact the power of my MacBook Pro is more than enough. I do however want a smaller portable to take with me on the go at the same time when I’m at home to have a nice desktop to work on.

Hence, for the next MacBook/MacBook Pros, I’m looking at a good balance between portability and power. The MacBook Air would have been nice, size wise but it’s just too under powered for my needs. I do love the aluminum finish it shares with the MacBook Pro. I haven’t really embraced moving to a MacBook due to the plastic material it uses. I’ve grown to love the aluminum finish of the MacBook Pro and I can’t think of going back to a plastic one.

Power is key as well. I don’t necessarily need a thoroughbred but I’d like something with enough power to do work while being mobile. A machine that can tackle Photoshop pretty well. Something that has everything together as well. I don’t want too much external peripherals.

An aluminum 13 inch MacBook that’s just a tad thinner and with a more powerful video card should be the sweet spot for me. I don’t mind losing the firewire port since I hardly use it. That goes for the expansion slot. I would like to keep the optical drive.

With the looming announcement of the new notebooks, what would you like to see?

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Sega Toys has announced that they are going to release the “Home Juke Box” this October.

The juke box has fully functioning disc changer (with tiny little vinyls), funky glowing lights, 20 pre-loaded ’golden oldie’ tracks, plus the ability to load more songs via the SD Card slot.  Users operate the device by inserting (100 Yen) coins into it, like a real juke box.

But I have to say, that is one of the worst adverts I have ever seen… for anything.  Ever.

Check after the break for more  specifications and the Home Juke Box track list.

Track Listing: (Japanese translation might be a little off)

● What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong ● yearning heart - Four EISESU ● Mission - Lalo Schifrin ● White Christmas - Bing Crosby ● Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page ● Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and his KOMETTSU ● Only You - PURATAZU ● Can not Hurry Love - Diana Ross & SHUPURIMUSU ● eye-smarting smoke - PURATAZU ● Johnny B Good - Chuck Berry ● Baby Face - Brian Hyland ● VAKEISHON - Connie Francis ● Hey Paula - Paul and Paula ● My Girl - TEMPTATIONS ● World Without Tomorrow - Barry McGuire ● MASHU Que Nada - Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66 ● To crush the chest - Dusty Springfield ● Sunny - Bobby HEBU ● memories of the Green Grass - Tom Jones ● Love is a light blue - Paul Mauriat  

Specifications:

Notes:

The Home Juke Box is set for a Japan release only, so far, on October 22nd.  Priced at approximately $300.  It’s quite pricey for a MP3 player (lets face it, that’s what it is), but it is kind of a cool novelty toy.  Though if you import it, probably best to stock up on those 100 Yen coins.

[Source: Sega Toys, Via Crunch Gear]

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Ever wondered what happened to Tamagochis? Check out The Jinsen Tokei or “Life Clock”. The makers want you to think that its reminiscent of the formerly popular virtual pet gadget.

To a certain degree, that’s true, thanks to its reliance on 1-bit (black or white) graphics. But the manufacturer also promises that the avatar (a choice of schoolgirl, businessman, or rock star) will act based on the time. So apparently, if the clock thinks you’re leaving, it will “leave” too.

Honestly though, would you pay $55 for an alarm clock that simply “mimics” what you do?

(image from trendhunter.com)

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How about Service Pack 2?

I found this Microsoft beta product page about Windows Vista SP2. From the Microsoft site:

Information about Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2

Beta Information

This article discusses a beta release of a Microsoft product. The information in this article is provided as-is and is subject to change without notice.

No formal product support is available from Microsoft for this beta product. For information about how to obtain support for a beta release, see the documentation that is included with the beta product files, or check the Web location where you downloaded the release.

INTRODUCTION

This Microsoft Knowledge Base article will be updated with more information about Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) when the information becomes available. Currently, the product release notes and related information about Windows Server 2008 SP2 and Windows Vista SP2 are not available.

I am not sure when SP2 is going to be available but it seems it’s going to take a while especially because Microsoft has just extended the life of Windows XP with reasons of readiness and confidence. If SP2 is going to be out soon, then it should be enough to fill the lack of confidence among non-Vista converts. I just hope they release it soon enough before people lose interest and finally decide for Windows 7.

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Following are the steps to remove the delay and make menus load faster:

1. Click on Start Menu

2. Type “regedit” on the Vista search box

3. Run the registry with administrator rights

4. Navigate to the following registry location — HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

5. Double click on the “MenuShowDelay” entry

6. On the “MenuShowDelay” screen, change the “400″ value on “Value data:” text box to “0″. See image below:

7. Check and feel your 400 millisecond faster loading time.

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To think that the crazy dude considers this a hobby. Wow.

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There are a number of inspiring books on photographic techniques from portraiture to lighting, travel photography to post processing. Depending on the type of photography you want to get into, and your level of experience, book resources can be largely based on personal preference. When it comes to the ins and outs of business contracts, or marketing, no matter what your photographic preference, there are some books that should absolutely be on your shelf.

One such book is Elyse Weissberg’s “Successful Self Promotion for Photographers” by AMPhoto Books. Over the years I’ve spent shooting, rarely have I come across a resource guide so packed with empowering information for helping me build my business.

Weissberg’s book is divided into 10 sections. Each addresses a unique issue in building, marketing and promoting your business. At the end of almost every chapter is a list of “dos” and “don’ts” as extra tips. Whether an amateur or professional, you will find this book well worth the $30 (actually it is currently on special at Amazon for just under $20).

The first two chapters mainly outline solid start up points for amateurs. It includes questions and direction to define personal goals, the importance of being true to the way you want to create yourself in the photography business including your image, your services, your experience and your styles. Weisberg also puts together a power packed list of building personal market strategies.

Want to know how to find your market and build your work to please that clientele? Chapters three and four give in depth coverage of winning strategies behind building on the desires of your market by showing how you can provide everything they want through ads and portfolio’s. Weissberg takes the time to describe how this can look different in a variety of markets including magazine, fine art, fashion and design.

One of the greatest advantages to Weissberg’s book is the practicality of the content presented. If the first step to being valued as a photographer begins with understanding your own value, then Chapters five and six will give you fresh perspective. Weissberg sets you on your way with practical skills with creating a marketing plan based on your tastes, your budget, and your clientele market.

Chapters seven through ten wrap up with other fantastic marketing ideas especially for photographers: from gaining recognition through portfolio review, to designing sourcebook ads, mailings, and understanding your client’s language.

Not only a great resource, but also an engaging read that wont leave you with anything less than dozens of ideas for expanding your photography business and your own marketing techniques.

Grab a copy of Successful Self-Promotion for Photographers from Amazon.

But if there was one thing probably qualifies as a new and cool announcement, it’s probably the one about ground mounts being usable in water. This means that when you hit the drink with your ground mount, you’ll actually stay mounted. Don’t you hate it when you’re in places like Un’goro Crater or Nagrand that have narrow bodies of water that separate pieces of land just a few steps apart. Getting to the other side of these pieces of land are annoying because the water is deep enough to dismount you so you’ll have to mount up again on the other side. This change that will be patched in after the release of Wrath of the Lich King solves this annoyance.

How, you may ask, will your kodo or nightsaber survive under water without breathing? Well just ask hunters how their pets do it. Though this really brings back the funny thought of having to buy a new mount just because your old one died…

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Pretty much their whole line up, just not Valkyria Chronicles or Golden Axe: Beast Riders.

Sega doesn’t tend to patch old games with support for this feature, unlike  other studios. But is it worth going through the trouble of updating them? I think this feature is better implemented than 360’s achievements, but then again they had years ahead to copy and change. Better being late than never I guess.

[Image and Source PS3Fanboy]

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“There’s always the possibility. Whether it would be viable remains to be seen, but having a new game - or even a remake of the GBA games, which we now can’t use [thanks to the DSi] - would certainly be possible.”

Remake of GBA games? That is not what I want at all. Try again….

“One of our ideas has been that on older consoles, you may have had only 16 colours. One thing we could do is make a game like Mega Man 9; do a new Sonic, but in an old style.”

Much better, I still don’t know why this has not been done. I mean there is so much fans out there asking for it, that they decided to do their own HD remake of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

If we made one, would you buy it?

I would, would you?

[Source and Image Kotaku]

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More drool-worthy Tokyo Game Show videos coming your way. The video seems to be a co-op demo for Resident Evil 5, which thankfully, isn’t included in this year’s mad holiday rush. As you may have observed, the PlayStation 3 demo is in Japanese so it’s not clear whether the second character is AI or player-controlled.

From the looks of things, damage localization in Resident Evil 5 doesn’t seem to be limited to headshots as arms (and presumably, legs) are appropriately blown away when shot. Unfortunately, the player (or AI) demonstrating the game wasn’t good enough to survive longer than four minutes.

Resident Evil 5 will scare the socks off PS3 and Xbox 360 gamers in March 2009.

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Of course, in this busy season of game releases, let’s not forget Far Cry 2, which made its presence felt in this year’s Tokyo Games Show. With this year’s batch of great games, we wouldn’t be surprised if blood banks are flooded with donors.

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There’s a new preview for Gears of War 2 over at 1UP, and it tackles the sequel’s single-player campaign. It’s interesting to see that the next installment presents some new sequences that break up the familiar cover-oriented gameplay the series is known for.

Don’t forget to mark November 7 on your calendars. That’s when Xbox 360 owners are getting Gears of War 2, and it’s arguably the console’s best game for 2008. We can’t wait to play it.

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The Fallout 3 release date is just around the corner and GameTrailers was ruthless enough to show off several more videos to get us all worked up before the big day. If you’re looking for more reasons to aggravate the Fallout 3 itch, hit the jump to watch even more videos.

Fallout 3 is hitting North American store shelves on October 28. The Bethesda-developed RPG is arriving in Europe and Australia on October 30, and Japan in December 4.

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Here are the games that made the list (only Sega games posted):

Surprises? Mine was that Bleach: Versus Crusade broke into the top 5 and that Bayonetta wasn’t mentioned. I can see Yakuza 3 getting second to Resident Evil 5, due to the fact that Resident Evil 5 playable. What do you guys think?

[Source Edge] [Image Onaxis]

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The old skool NES is being minirized (or modded) into a unofficial Nintendo light gun (Super Joy III). With enough skill and patience, you can do one your own.

Where To Mod:

Benheck Forums {DONE/ NOAC (Super Joy III) — Nintendo in a light gun!}

Image: GonzoMPM-1 | Via: Gizmodo

If you are like me who can’t cut anything straight with a pair of ordinary scissors, it’s time to make a switch to a more geeky one. The Laser Guided Scissors possesses a built-in laser to help you to cut through paper and fabric without any crookedness. $17.99 to make you a Scissors God.

Where To Buy:

ThinkGeek

Image: ThinkGeek

Have you been looking for that perfect carpet texture for your sims’s abode?

Well, I have the carpet for you!

McAllli’s carpeting, more real carpet and even more real carpet promise to supply you with almost endless real carpet textures in colors that I know you’ll be able to use.

Click here, here, and here to download.

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The base make-up that comes with Sims 2 leaves something to be desired and that something is called variety.

Every time I see a new make-up set, I have to try it out.  Usually, they fall short of the mark and are major disapointments.

Luckily, that’s not the case here.

These offerings are awesome, natural looking make-ups that don’t jump out at you when you’re playing the game.

Click here to download these great Hollywood make-up sets.

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