What Are You Playing This Weekend?

RPadholic N8R, my pal Raina, and I shot a bunch of video this week, so I’ll be playing Fun With Final Cut X most of the weekend. I’m heading off to Hawaii next week to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and brother, so I want to finish as much editing as possible. I do not want to spend too much time editing while I’m in Hawaii. Of course I’ll be writing for your entertainment (and my need for incessant rambling), but I want to spend quality time with family and as much time at Lanikai Beach as possible. Man…I can’t wait to see Lanikai again!

How about you? What’s on your weekend playlist?

Vaping Diaries #16: Totally Wicked Odyssey Review

For the last few weeks, I’ve been using the Odyssey e-cigarette from Totally Wicked. This is an unusual and beautiful vaping device that really stands out. What I mean by unusual is that unlike most vaping products (or products of any kind, really), it’s not made in China. The Odyssey was designed in the UK and is manufactured there as well. What I mean by beautiful is…well, just look at it. This is a gorgeous mechanical mod that’s made from steel and glass. Considering the top-notch materials and craftsmanship, the Odyssey comes at a surprisingly low $99.99 price (increasing to $119.99 on November 26, 2012). Let’s go through the details!

What’s in the Kit: Totally Wicked did a phenomenal job with the packaging. The presentation is really classy — I’m talking Apple-level classy. Inside the box you’ll find the e-cigarette, two 14500 batteries, a charger, a tank-filling tool, a registration card, a guarantee card, a certificate of authenticity, and one of the most detailed instruction manuals I’ve seen for a vaping device. The device is backed be an atypically long five-year guarantee.

Construction and Build Quality: This is easily the most outstanding aspect of the Odyssey. Most of the unit is made from 303 austenitic stainless steel, while the tank also features laser-cut borosilicate glass (often marketed as pyrex). The lines are smooth and clean. It’s just incredibly well-made and gorgeous. One thing to note is that the firing button/locking mechanism is very tight out of the box. It loosened up for me after a day of use.

Ergonomics: Using the Odyssey is unusual compared to other vaping devices. Due to its steel construction, the unit is heavier than it looks. The balance is also bottom heavy. Whereas you’d hold a cigarette or a similarly sized vaping device towards the top, you’re supposed to grip the bottom half of the Odyssey. The firing button is at the end of the unit and meant to be activated with your pinky finger. It felt odd, but I got used to it after a day. While I found the Odyssey comfortable and easy to use after a brief adjustment period, I can understand someone else finding the device too heavy.

Performance and Battery Life: The Odyssey produced consistent power for the first 3/4 of the included 900 mAh batteries. After that, there was a significant drop-off in power. With that in mind, it usually took three battery charges to get me through the day. Since the kit includes two batteries, I just swapped one out when performance started declining. Naturally, battery life depends on your vaping habits and the resistance of the cartomizer used. I tried the Odyssey with both single-coil and dual-coil cartomizers. For me, single-coil cartomizers in the 1.5-1.7 ohm range were definitely the way to go. The Odyssey uses a 510 connection. You can use it with standard 510 cartomizers and, if you take off the plinth, eGo-threaded products. This gives it some nice versatility.

Verdict: Looking at photos or video clips of the Odyssey doesn’t do it justice. Feeling the device and seeing it with your own eyes makes it seem like a steal compared to competitors. Keep in mind you’re getting a body that’s made from steel and a glass-and-steel tank; pyrex tanks alone can cost $40 to $50. The construction and build quality are brilliant. I’ve seen competing devices made of plastic and mass produced in China sold for similar prices. I’ve seen products made from inferior materials sold for twice as much. As far as fixed-voltage vaping devices go, this is one of the finest I’ve ever seen.

That said, it’s not for everyone. Although it didn’t bother me, I can see the device’s weight being a problem for some people. This also isn’t a device for demanding vapers that often change voltage or wattage. (On a side note, I’d love to see the Odyssey’s makers come up with a mod that’s compatible with the Evolv Kick for variable-wattage performance. That would rule me.) If a fixed-voltage mod works for you and you don’t mind having to change batteries once a day or more then you’ll be happy with Odyssey. It’s a beautiful and luxurious e-cigarette that comes at a surprisingly low price.

Steve Jobs Movie Covers Macintosh, NeXT, iPod Launches

Steve Jobs had a colorful life and was responsible for products used by millions of people around the world. With that in mind, there are so many chunks of his time on Earth that could be covered in a movie. Super-scribe Aaron Sorkin revealed that the biopic he’s penning for Sony Pictures will revolve around three product launches: the Macintosh, the NeXT Computer System, and the iPod. Here’s more from The Verge:

Sorkin revealed that the movie will be comprised of three, 30-minute sections that each take place backstage in the moments immediately preceding some of Jobs’ most iconic keynotes.

“This entire movie is going to be three scenes and three scenes only that all take place in realtime,” Sorkin said. “A half hour for you in the audience is the same as a half hour to a character on the screen.” The three presentations that will serve as backdrops in the film will be the original Macintosh, the debut of NeXT, and the first-ever iPod reveal in 2001. Sorkin says he chose the timeframe intentionally, with the classic “Think Different” commercial serving as a potential end point for the film.

In many ways, Sorkin’s idea reminds me of Ali. That Muhammad Ali movie featured some of his most famous fights and ended with “The Rumble in the Jungle” vs. George Foreman. As many of you know, Ali had many fights after that one, including memorable scraps with Earnie Shavers and Ken Norton, as well as the historic and brutal “Thrilla in Manila” vs. Joe Frazier. Like Ali, Jobs’ accomplishments are too vast to contain in a single two-hour movie. The centerpieces Sorkin is using cover the rise, fall, and rebirth of Steve Jobs nicely.

What do you think of Aaron Sorkin basing his Steve Jobs movie around the Mac, NeXT, and iPod keynotes?

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John McAfee Wanted For Murder Questioning

He can save your Windows PC from viruses and malware, but he can also outrun the Belize police. I’m talking about John McAfee, of course. The former NASA programmer and current antivirus king is wanted for questioning in Belize for the murder of his neighbor. McAfee claims that he is innocent, but is avoiding the authorities because of the paranoia that many rich eccentrics suffer from he believes that he will be set up. This sounds like a Lifetime made-for-TV movie.

Oh yeah, one of the techniques McAfee used to avoid capture was straight out of the Solid Snake School For Espionage. Here’s the story from Wired:

He’d seen them coming, and says he hid — burying himself in the sand with a cardboard box over his head so he could breathe. “It was extraordinarily uncomfortable,” he says, in an exclusive interview with Wired. “But they will kill me if they find me.”

But wait! It gets even weirder. According to Wired, the murder could be over McAfee’s dogs. His neighbor filed a complaint with the mayor about the dogs’ barking. McAfee claims that the Belize Coast Guard poisoned his dogs. Connecting the (wacky) dots would lead one to believe that McAfee killed his neighbor in retaliation.

It sounds too absurd to be true, but there you have it — an antivirus mogul is suspected of killing his neighbor because his dogs were poisoned. Yeah….

Source

Coffee Talk #539: Cyclops vs. Wolverine

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, not being fooled by the NY Knicks’ hot start, the best flavor of Jolly Rancher candy, or Lisa Whelchel getting West Nile Virus, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Thanks to another excellent 99-cent sale at Comixology, I finally caught up on X-Men: Schism and X-Men: Regenesis earlier this week. Prior to that, I was enjoying Avengers vs. X-Men and really enjoying AvX: Consequences. It has been interesting — and a bit disorienting — watching Cyclops and Wolverine change roles as these stories played out. The new Cyclops is pretty cool, but the new Wolverine is kind of a puff; so much so that I was originally going to call this column, “The Pussification of Wolverine.” Anyway, I thought this would be a good time to take a look back at these characters, see where they are now, and talk about their respective changes. Let’s do it!

For the longest time, Cyclops was the most straight-laced mutant in the Marvel Universe. He was the original field leader of the X-Men and Professor Xavier’s pet. Over the years, he has developed into a tactical genius and the poster-boy for good mutants. Recent events have pushed him to the edge and caused him to become extreme. While Cyclops was a play-by-the-rules hero for most of his life, he’s now determined to do whatever it takes to ensure the prosperity of the mutant race. His leadership skills and newfound ruthlessness are a formidable combination. Also, it’s a little bit funny that one of Professor X’s oldest students has become a lot like Magneto.

Wolverine was one of the original bad-asses of comics. Fans loved his berserker rage and in-your-face attitude. I’m positive that few longtime Wolvie fans imagined that he would become the headmaster of The Jean Grey School For Higher Learning. In recent years, Marvel’s writers have decided to develop his softer side. The rift between Cyclops and Wolverine opens up in X-Men: Schism because the latter doesn’t want young mutants in the battlefield. That really didn’t work for me. This is a guy that’s known for doing whatever it takes to win a fight. Why does he give a damn if teenage mutants are fighting sentinels, especially considering that the mutant race is on the verge of extinction?!?

In X-Men Schism, Wolverine gives a young girl a doll, eats ice cream with said girl, and runs off to become a teacher.

In Avengers vs. X-Men, Cyclops makes the world better for everyone, goes a bit insane (due to needless agitating by the Avengers), and is partially responsible for more mutants appearing on Earth. In AvX: Consequences, Cyclops cements his status as a bad-ass mutant extremist.

After following X-Men adventures for decades, I never imagined that these two mutants would become the people they are today. On one hand, I love the new, ruthless Cyclops. At first I was worried about the character being ruined, but it’s important to have the “by any means necessary” faction of the mutant race and he’s the best person to lead it. The new Wolverine…I don’t really get it. I’ve always understood the character having a soft side (see his relationships with Kitty Pryde, Jubilee, etc.), but it’s too much now. Like I said before, he’s kind of a puff now. Additionally, I don’t understand how he can run a school, adventure with his team of X-Men, and help out two different Avengers teams.

That’s my take anyway. I’d love to hear what you think of the all-new, all-different Cyclops and Wolverine. Leave a comment and let me know (please!).

Vaping Diaries #15: Orb Vapor Review (E-Liquid)

RPadholic N8R and I checked out three e-liquids from Orb Vapor — Organic Caramel Apple, Organic Mexican Vanilla, and Organic Watermelon Menthol. The juices come in blue glass bottles with a dripper cap. The bottles are wrapped in a thick layer of wrapping tissue and sent in a bubble envelope; in my experience, only one other vendor does a better job in terms of packaging and presentation. Check out the video above and some notes on the juices below.

Organic Caramel Apple: This was N8R’s favorite juice of the three, though he got more of a candy apple taste than a caramel apple taste. I enjoyed this juice too, but wanted more caramel flavor. Both of us agreed that apple was the predominant flavor.

Organic Mexican Vanilla: Both of us agreed that this was a thick, savory juice with more of a vanilla bean flavor than a sweet vanilla flavor. N8R made the analogy that this was closer to Breyer’s ice cream than generic vanilla ice cream. Out of the three, this was my favorite — very rich and flavorful, without overpowering sweetness.

Organic Watermelon Menthol: Both of us felt that this was more of a subtle mint than a menthol. N8R really liked this one and felt that it’s a great vape for a hot summer day. I liked this e-liquid too, but really wanted more mint/menthol.

Steeping Notes

Organic Caramel Apple
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: October 22, 2012
Uncapped: October 29, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 31, 2012 8:33PM
Opened: November 13, 2012

Organic Mexican Vanilla
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: October 22, 2012
Uncapped: October 29, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 31, 2012 8:33PM
Opened: November 13, 2012

Organic Watermelon Menthol
50/50 PG/VG ratio, 6mg nicotine
Born On: October 22, 2012
Uncapped: October 29, 2012 5:20PM
Recapped: October 31, 2012 8:33PM
Opened: November 13, 2012

Gangnam Style Invades Gaming

Psy’s “Gangnam Style” has taken the world by storm, so it was only a matter of time before the Korean sensation hit the gaming world. Here are two videos of two different games using “Gangnam Style.” First up is GameSamba’s Remnant Knights, followed by Fishing Cactus’ Creatures 4. Check out the videos, let me know what you think of them, and let me know which clip used “Gangnam Style” most effectively. Continue reading “Gangnam Style Invades Gaming”

Coffee Talk #538: What Is a Triple-A Game?

Gamers, writers, publishers, and developers frequently use the term “triple-A game,” but what does that really mean? It’s such a nebulous classification that means different things to different people, but it’s used so frequently that an outsider would think that is has a standardized definition. How do you define triple-A games? What factor or factors do you consider when labeling a game…more

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the D’Antoni effect, sexy triplets, or roast pork vs. BBQ pork, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Gamers, writers, publishers, and developers frequently use the term “triple-A game,” but what does that really mean? It’s such a nebulous classification that means different things to different people, but it’s used so frequently that an outsider would think that is has a standardized definition. How do you define triple-A games? What factor or factors do you consider when labeling a game “triple-A?”

Do triple-A games require a certain budget? If so, what is the minimum amount of money? Do triple-A games need to be of a certain quality? If that’s the case, at what point would you know if a game is triple-A or not and who judges the quality? With all of that in mind, a game like Medal of Honor: Warfighter is terribly interesting. It was relatively expensive to make. The publisher thought it was a high-quality game prior to release. Critics and fans thought it was crap. I’m guessing that most people wouldn’t consider Warfighter a triple-A game, but I also imagine people supporting that choice with flimsy logic.

You guys and gals are better than most people (duh!), so I want to hear how you define triple-A games and what factors go into your definition of the term. Fire away in the comments section (please!).