www.TheJoe.com

I really need to get crackin on regular updates.

Anyways, It’s June and it’s been a hell of a year.  We’re still working on getting TechnoChubby.com up and running.   vBulletin finally released the 3.7 version of their software and we’ve installed it and now need to flesh it out before going live. (Kumeelyun [Zelig] has been waiting ever so patiently for me to get the back end done.)

On a personal note, Dana and I have split up after 7 years.  I have been dealing with this emotionally for the past couple of weeks.  The only depth I will go into is “It is what it is”

Back on a tech note, I have decided to try to twitter more often.  I have been regularly listening to MacBreak Weekly ( http://twit.tv/mbw )  The dialog from the show has me wanting to twitter more.

We’re moving forward with life in our household.  I am re-organizing yet again, seems like it never ends.

As Catherwood used to say: “Onwards and Upwards”

PS I love my Mac

You know for years, I had been on the PC platform.  I was originally a Mac user, but in 1989 I made the general switch to the PC world.  Now, I am back on the mac platform and I am loving it.

One of the other points I would like to make, is that I have always been OS independent.  I believe that you use what OS that you need to get the job done properly and efficiently. I have always had an issue with those “evangelistic” types that were so pro mac or pro windows.

So, here I am on a plane and watching people bring out their laptops and see a lot of PC laptops.  I sat here watching someone’s windows based machine begin to resume and hang.  Yet another PC start up and take a considerable amount of time to load and get to where they want to be on their computer.

Witnessing these events, I pull out my Macbook Pro.  Turn it on and am able to write these ideas down within seconds of pushing the power button.

I now see why mac users have been so gung-ho.  It just works.

So, it’s now my second week in World of Warcraft. I have to say, and maybe out of desperation, that it’s not as bad as I expected it to be.

I played the game heavily during beta. I was not impressed with it then. I believe that was about 3 years ago. Since then, I think it has improved dramatically.

It’s definitely a social game, it’s not as fun playing solo than it is when grouped. Another major change for me is that we’re on a PvP server and that goes a lot better when you are running around with a group of friends.

The major thing I like about it is the ability to tweak the UI and add various helper mods that make the game play much easier than it already is. My list of MUST add World of Warcraft mods:

First off, I use WoWMatrix to install and manage my mods. ( www.wowmatrix.com )

Then install the following MUSTS:

1) QuestHelper - this shows you where your quest objectives are located.  Also, if you are in a group, and your fellow group members have it installed, it will show you their quests.

2) BeQL - An enhanced quest log.  This adds all kinds of things to your quest log that gives you info.  The main reason why it’s on my list, is that if you enable “Quest progression to party chat” it informs your party when you get quest items so your not always asking “How many more do you need?”

3) Cartographer - General map addon.  Adds some features to the map and keeps it from taking over your entire screen.

4)  Titan Panel - Adds an information bar on the top and bottom of your screen that gives you all sorts of useful info. Bag space, gold, XP, etc etc.

Those would be my key recommendations for starter add ons.

I am enjoying WoW so far and will report more as I go along.

- Zenshinzo, level 36 Night Elf Druid

I found out that VMWare is doing a contest to win a Macbook Air. You need to post a video to YouTube with the tag ‘switchtofusion‘. I decided to do an entry a while ago. However, I have been busy with a lot of different things and was unable to do the wonderful video ’showing off’ what VMWare can do. I am a VMWare NUT, and I LOVE Fusion even more. (It was one of the deciding factors in my going Mac)

In it’s stead, I decided to throw together a quick video of why I switched from World of Warcraft to VMWare Fusion. (I know, I know.. it’s not the same type of app. I just thought it would be fun) Enjoy:

Anyways, I do want to say that I have been a virtualization user for quite some time. From the very early days of VMWare (geez, what years ago). I have tried Parallels, Virtual PC, and a host of others. I have not found anything to work quite as well as VMWare does. I use all of their products, Fusion, GSX/ESX, Server, and Workstation.

I was really happy when they came out with a Mac version, VMWare Fusion. It was very instrumental in my switching over to the Mac platform. I have to say, that I am quite pleased with how it runs. I really like the Unity interface. (See my MacVista post in this blog) I love the seamless integration. It just plain ROCKS!

OK OK, I’ll stop raving about it, I just wanted to share all of this with you.

GO BUY VMWare Fusion! If you don’t have a Mac, GO BUY A MAC, THEN BUY VMWare Fusion!

See more about switching to fusion: http://www.vmware.com/switchtofusion/

Recently, we have been making the switch to the Mac platform here.  Angel and Andrew have switched almost entirely.  Dana’s kind of stuck in a windows world (shame).  Well, let me say this.  The only drawback from being on the mac platform is the lack of good games for the mac.   If you are purely or 95% a gamer, then the mac platform is not for you.  This is odd to me, since the mac platform bodes well for graphics, multi-tasking etc.

With all that said,  I have need to have some sort of game to play.  So, we decided to try World of Warcraft.  Some of you know, I have been an avid MMO player for over 10 years.  I have played the gamut of them.  From Meridian 59, EverQuest, Earth and Beyond, EVE, Entropia Universe, EverQuest II, Shadowbane, Star Wars Galaxies, and a host of others.

We pushed back on World of Warcraft because it seemed very easy to play. Almost TOO easy.  Well, I must say, almost a week playing and it IS easy.  However, it’s not so easy that it takes the fun out of the game play.  It’s actually a good balance between ease of play and fun. (get back to me in a couple weeks and I’ll let you know more as well)

We also decided to join a good friend of ours on a PvP server.  I am surprised I went this route, since I am not big into PvP, but the way I look at it, if the PvE play style gets boring to me, I can always PvP.

So, if you are interested in joining us in World of Warcraft or WoW as some call it.  We’re on the Gorgonnash (US) servers and we’re Alliance based.  My in game main character is Zenshinzo.  Send me a tell if you pop in. We’re currently in my friend’s guild. However, as things progress this may change.

Hope to see you!

Went to go see Ironman today.  I have always had an affinity towards Ironman.  He has always been the epitome of how a normal guy could become a super hero.  Plus his behavior  has always been akin to how I am.  Kinda wild, loves the girls, and a drinker. (well, I am not a drinker anymore but I still love to have fun)

It was a good movie.  One of the better comic-turned-movie realization so far.   Favreau did a great job directing and being the bodyguard.  The ending was classic. (not tellin, go see it!) Anyways, I recommend this flick to any and all.  Had great pacing, no real slow moments.  Good Stuff!

Also, lately I have been playing with the Camfrog software.  This is a video chat room software.  Thanks to my buddy Nightline for turning me on to this.  I have been hanging out in the _FaLleN_AnGeLs_ room.  Interesting stuff.  You’ll have to go check it out for yourself.

This video chat stuff has given me ideas on what to do with the HappyFornicator.com domain.  Looks like I’ll be setting up another social/video site soon.

Technochubby is coming along.  I am working on the servers and will get the site up in the next week or two at the latest.  Good Stuff!

I have been searching for the ultimate home office router/firewall. I would like the following:

1. Gigabit
2. VPN Endpoint
3. QOS

Those are the main points I want in a router/firewall solution. I have been doing a lot of stuff on the road of late. I would like to access my net at home with a reliable commercial solution. (no offense open source)

I am now starting to do some research. I am looking at some possible sonicwall, watchguard, or juniper solution. However, I would like a less pricey solution. Preferably D-Link or Netgear. If anyone out there knows of anything, please reply.

Apparently, I am not the only one looking for these things. Greg Hughes seems to be searching for this as well. (I Have a dream the Perfect gigabit wireless router with vpn and QOS)

The Search is on!

I went and did it. I put the 500 Gig Hitachi drive I got today into my Macbook Pro. I shot video of the whole thing. I shot video of the 320 Gig install, but since I got the 500 so shortly after, I just decided to do the one.

Here it is:

For some odd reason, my camera imports are acting up. It took 4 or so imports to get most of what you see in the video. As you can see, certain sections of the video there is jitter, I did the best I could. I was planning on doing a time-lapse of the rebuild, but it was just unusable.  So, I added a text ending instead. I hope you like it!

One note on the drive. This drive is 12.5mm vs the 9.5mm most 2.5″ drives are. From my understanding, the Macbook Pro 17″ is the only Macbook that this drive will fit inside.

Anyways, this time I did a Time Machine restore to the drive once installed, and it went flawlessly.

It’s a nice drive, I did the video you see on the Macbook Pro with the new drive in it.

As usual, we plan on referencing our videos on the Techno Chubby Site when it gets up and running.

Good Stuff!

I just finish installing the Western Digital 320GB Drive in my MacBook Pro.  Get everything installed and OH SNAP!  I find a 500GB Hitachi 2.5″ Drive.

Well, needless to say, I am a space whore.  So, I ordered one from Other World Computing.   I did the Express overnight.  I ordered it yesterday morning, and today, it’s sitting on my desk.  It’s slightly larger than the regular 2.5″ drives.  It’s 12.5mm vs th 9.5mm height that most 2.5’s are.  However, I have done some research and it looks like it will go into a MacBook Pro 17″ with no issues.  I guess we’ll find out.

I am going to install it soon.  I’ll let you know how it all goes.

Here’s the link to what I got: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Hitachi/0A53487/

I know it’s being posted all over the net right now. But I just wanted to put in my two copper’s worth on this.

I have purchased the MacUpdate Promo Bundle, I think it’s worth it.

Shameless Link: Today’s MacUpdate Promo, 40% off

It’s a great bundle with a lot of great software. Here’s what they are selling in the bundle:

Hazel
Art Text
MenuCalendarClock
Leap
StoryMill
Typinator
DVDRemaster Pro
Sound Studio
BannerZest
Parallels Desktop

It’s $64.99 for all the software. I’ll be honest, I was leary at first, but there were a couple pieces of software in the list I was interested in registering anyways and I said, what the heck and gave it a go.

It’s the real deal. I got my reg keys all mailed to me and life’s good.

Anyways, if you want to get it and you click on this link Today’s MacUpdate Promo, 40% off I’ll get $3 bucks… Come on, you know you like me enough and want to give a little support to my musings.

Thanks all!