Monday Housekeeping: Backend Updates

Last night I performed a fairly major site update. Most of the changes are of the under-the-hood variety, but there are a few that you’ll notice. As always, if something seems amiss, please let me know. Here’s the rundown.

  • General Performance: The site should be a little bit snappier now. I should also be able to use high quality images without sacrificing load time. Let’s see how that goes.
  • Slider Improvements: The front-page slider should be behaving much better across all browsers. In the past, it would blow up in size and use full-sized images instead of thumbnails. It should also be more responsive to touch on the iPad.
  • Callout Button: There’s a callout button under the slider for special content. It could be useful. Aesthetically, I don’t like it. What do you think?

Coming Soon

  • Pagination: You’ll be able to browse the site through numbered pages of content again, as opposed to just “next” and “previous” pages. I’m having a bug with this at the moment, but to hope to resolve it soon. I really missed that feature from the old site.

Today’s Poll: Rachel Maddow, Matthew Perry, and Mark Teixeira

Apparently MSNBC host Rachel Maddow looks like a bunch of famous people. On a recent episode of Matthew Perry’s Go On, there was a bit where Perry’s character attended a lesbian wedding and was constantly mistaken for Maddow. My friend Justin has been telling me for years that New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira looks like Maddow. Personally, I don’t see it at all. In my head, Maddow is cool and cute in a way that has nothing to do with Matthew Perry or Mark Teixeira.

What do you think? Please vote in today’s Rachel Maddow poll and explain your choice in the comments section!

[poll id=”166″]

Coffee Talk #525: The Geek Chic World of E-Cigs

Smoking is stupid. There’s no arguing that point. It’s really bad for you. I’m saying this as a former smoker and a current e-cig user. Many people are making the switch from smoking cigarettes to vaporizing (or vaping) e-cigs. With e-cigs, you inhale nicotine and flavor, but don’t inhale tar and carbon monoxide. Longterm studies are still being done on the longterm effects of vaping, but eschewing known carcinogens for a combination of nicotine, food flavoring, and water is probably better for you, don’t you agree? Here’s a look at vast world of e-cigs and an explanation of why they’re especially popular with tech geeks.

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 NY Yankees not hitting worth a damn, Softbank possibly buying a majority share of Sprint, or Hulk Hogan putting Austin Aries over in the press, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Smoking is stupid. There’s no arguing that point. It’s really bad for you. I’m saying this as a former smoker and a current e-cig user. Many people are making the switch from smoking cigarettes to vaporizing (or vaping) e-cigs. With e-cigs, you inhale nicotine and flavor, but don’t inhale tar and carbon monoxide. Studies are still being done on the longterm effects of vaping, but eschewing known carcinogens for a combination of nicotine, food flavoring, and water is probably better for you, don’t you agree?

Many people start off with standard-looking e-cigs like Safe Cig or V2. They look like regular cigarettes and are relatively inconspicuous, allowing vapers to blend in with smokers. They’re also really easy to use. You have a battery that needs to be charged occasionally. You have cartridges with nicotine and flavor that need to be replaced. It couldn’t be simpler. The disadvantages of these types of e-cigs are that battery life is relatively short and the throat hit is weaker than conventional cigarettes. Still, for people that want ease-of-use and want something that looks like a “normal” cigarette, products like Safe Cig and V2 are a good choice.

For heavy smokers or those that want to get even nerdier with vaping, there are larger products that offer longer battery life and a heavier throat hit. The eGo-C is one of the most popular models out there. These types of products offer more flexibility, with different types of cartomizers and tanks that alter the vaping experience. They also make it easier to use e-liquids or smoke juice; buying e-liquids for refillable tanks and cartomizers is cheaper than buying single-use cartridges. While these products offer better battery life, superior performance, and more flexibility, most of them will make you look like you’re smoking a schlong. However, there are newer products like the Elips-C that offer a great blend of looks and performance.

Vaping is especially popular with tech enthusiasts. This isn’t surprise since there are electronics involved. Part of it is the appeal of new products replacing those that have been used for hundreds of years. Part of it is the modding aspect of vaping. There are products like the eGo-VV that let users change the voltage of the battery, resulting in different tastes and different amounts of vapor. Experimenting with different tanks and liquids is geek chic. Blending your own liquids is one step away from alchemy. With so many aspects of the vaping experience to experiment with, it’s no wonder tech nerds enjoy it.

In the near future, I’ll have some e-cig product reviews and comparisons. I know that RPadholics Big Blak and N8R have used e-cigs. I’d love to hear what those guys have to say about them. If you have an experience with vaping or any questions about it, please leave a comment.

What Are You Playing This Weekend?

This weekend I’ll be focusing on The Unfinished Swan for PlayStation 3. I’ve been super-high on this game since E3 2012. It’s so wonderfully creative and different…at least in the brief portions I’ve played. Hopefully the game is everything I imagine it to be. I can’t wait to find out! Aside from that, I’ll be playing more Outernauts. I’m done with all the available missions, so it’s all about finding rare monsters, training my new critters, and questing for special armor. There’s this set of pirate armor that I’m hoping to complete this weekend. Yargh.

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

Lady Nightwing is Hot!!!

As many of you know, Nighting is my favorite comic-book character. A friend of mine sent me a Facebook message showing a friend’s photos. The pictures are of cosplayer Linda Le as Lady Nightwing. All I can say is, “Wow!” and also, “I’m in love.” Hit the break for more photos and let me know what you think (please). If you like them, be sure to give Linda props on her Facebook page. Continue reading “Lady Nightwing is Hot!!!”

Coffee Talk #524: Old School Cool vs. Outdated

I’ve been anxious to see how XCOM: Enemy Unkown would be received. Although it features modern graphics and sound, it very much plays like an old-school PC game. I fell for the game earlier in the year and was sure that it would score high with critics (it did), but I wasn’t and am still not sure if “real” people would dig it. Would the old-school gameplay feel refreshing in 2012? Or will gamers think that it’s outdated?

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 joys of benching A-Rod, naked Lady Gaga, or Verve’s El Salvador La Montana, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’ve been anxious to see how XCOM: Enemy Unkown would be received. Although it features modern graphics and sound, it very much plays like an old-school PC game. I fell for the game earlier in the year and was sure that it would score high with critics (it did), but I wasn’t sure if “real” people would dig it. Would the old-school gameplay feel refreshing in 2012? Or will gamers think that it’s outdated?

From scouring various message boards, players have been loving the game so far. Yes, people that post on web sites and forums are only a percentage of the number of people that buy games, but it’s as good a barometer as any. And yes, just because a vocal minority have been raving about the game doesn’t mean that it will be a mass success. Still, I’m super-happy to see that the game has been well-received so far. In a world of sequels and balls-and-guns games, it’s great to see a title with old-school sensibilities doing well.

If you’ve checked out the game or videos of the game, please let me know what you think of XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Are there any old-school series or genres that you’d like to see with a modern twist? Have you recently played a game that was old-school cool or one that was outdated? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Raystarter 2012: Get Your RPad.TV Wristbands!

Three years ago today, RPad.TV launched. It has been an educational, wacky, and enjoyable ride. The site has grown a lot in three years and I’m grateful for all your support. To take RPad.TV to the next level, I’m asking for PayPal donations. Make a donation of $5 or more and I’ll send you an RPad.TV wristband (pictured above, thanks to RPadholic N8R). The free wristband offer is good while supplies last (don’t worry, I have hundreds) and will only be sent to U.S. readers (unless you donate a silly amount of money, in which case I’ll fly to you and give you your wristband personally).

Donations will be used for the following:

Server Upgrades: I’ve upgraded the server once to deal with increased traffic and the site has already outgrown that server. I plan on moving the site to a more expensive server for increased performance and reliability.
Event Travel: I’d love to serve up more original articles and videos from shows like CES, GDC, PAX, Comic-Con, etc. These shows are expensive to get to and attend. With some luck, I’ll be able to cover more of them for you.
New Gear: Should donations reach a ludicrous level, they’ll be used for new video gear and software.

If you’re unable to make a donation, there are plenty of ways you can help out RPad.TV.

Send this page to your rich uncle, Bill Gates, and Tim Cook.

Help spread the word about this fundraiser through social media. Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ posts of this page would be appreciated.

Buy something from Amazon.com. If you enter Amazon by clicking on the advertisement on the lower-left corner, I’ll get a small kickback.

Check out the RPad.TV Amazon wish list.

Keep reading and commenting! The site is better when awesomely awesome people like you chat it up in the comments section.

Thanks so much for reading the site! It means a lot to me. I’ve learned so much from growing RPad.TV and it has been an extremely gratifying experience. There have been times when working on the site and hanging out with you guys in the comments section have kept me from going completely insane (I’m still two percent insane…most days). Thank you so much.

Now please join me in wishing RPad.TV a happy birthday. Three more years! Three more years! Three more years!!!




RIP Alex Karras

Some of you knew Alex Karras as a football player for the Detroit Lions. Others knew him from his pro-wrestling days. Lots of people knew him as the dad in Webster. As for me, he’ll always be Mongo, the excellent character from the excellent Blazing Saddles. Karras had a remarkable career, entertaining millions of people as an athlete, an actor, and a comedian. He was awesome.

Continue reading “RIP Alex Karras”

MLB Fans Dig iOS 6 Passbook

When the Passbook feature of iOS 6 was revealed, I thought it had great potential. I was surprised that most of you — the RPadholics that have used iOS 6, anyway — didn’t see the point or didn’t like Passbook. Do you know who likes it? Major League Baseball fans. In a pilot program used with four baseball teams, 12 percent of e-ticket buyers used Passbook to manage their tickets. For a new service that’s available on a limited amount of phones, that’s terribly impressive. Here’s more from Market Watch:

Passbook — which allows tickets and loyalty cards from a variety of outlets to be delivered to one iPhone app — proved to be an instant hit with fans, Bob Bowman, CEO of MLB Advance Media, tells MarketWatch. In its test run with four teams for the final two weeks of the season, 1,500 e-ticket buyers (12%) chose Passbook delivery. “That adoption rate really floored us — there is no question our fans want digital tickets,” Bowman says. “Fans can use the tickets, forward them to a friend, resell them, or even donate them to charity — and they never get lost or left at home.”

The MLB example shows the flexibility of Passbook and is a fantastic example of why I thought it had potential. That convenience is fantastic and the different things you can do with tickets  is awesome. More and more companies are flocking to Passbook, which is no surprise considering the tens of millions of people that have or will buy iOS 6 devices. Hopefully these companies use Passbook in interesting ways, just like MLB.

What do you think of how MLB is using Passbook? Are you surprise by the relatively high adoption rate? Does this application change your mind about the service?

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Microsoft Tightens Rules For Gameplay Video Posting

[Update: 9:01AM PT] Have you amassed a large YouTube following and earned some sweet ad dollars by posting clips of your dazzling Halo runs? If so then prepare to have your revenue stream shut off because it seems that Microsoft isn’t down with having people profit from posting clips of its games. Digital Trends has found a clause in the company’s updated “game content usage rules” that restricts gamers from earning money from posting videos of Microsoft games. Check it out:

Microsoft grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use and display Game Content and to create derivative works based upon Game Content, strictly for your noncommercial and personal use.

While this doesn’t stop people from creating and posting well-edited and clever videos of Microsoft games, it does prevent them from making money on such clips. It’s a curious move. Certainly there will be some outspoken gamers — particularly in the large Halo community — that will scream at the large corporation “mistreating” its fans. Microsoft also gets free marketing from people that put together slick clips of its games. While I understand that the company wants to control and protect its properties, this seems like a bad move on several levels.

What do you think of Microsoft’s new restrictions on gameplay videos?

Update: Here’ s part of a post from the Halo forums that clarifies the new rules. According to a company rep, nothing has really changed:

The majority of everything the community makes currently is fine, as long as they are not basically running a big Halo-based business or using Halo as if the IP was its own property. That actually isn’t a change to our policy, simply a clarification and update of the dry legal language, and as we’ve mentioned, even that “new” language was actually updated months ago. We don’t have squads of lawyers waiting in the wings to go after folks making machinima, or showing off their skills in Halo. Basically it’s business as usual.

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