Tag: Geek Stuff

Moby Dick…the Collectible Card Game? (Kickstarter)

What happens when you blend the addictive nature of collectible card games (CCGs) with a literary classic? You get Moby Dick, or, The Card Game, that’s what. An old Happy Puppy colleague dropped me a line to tell me about this Kickstarter project he’s working on. As you’ve probably guessed, it combines Herman Melville’s timeless tale of a man and a marine mammal with CCG mechanics. Here’s a clip from the Kickstarter pitch:

Moby Dick, or, The Card Game is a dynamic and action-packed card game for 2-4 players, lovingly adapted from Herman Melville’s classic novel.

Experience the wonders and terrors of 19th century whaling and interact with some of the greatest characters in American literature in a game that’s easy to learn but fathoms deep.

The game is played using three custom decks with over 100 unique cards, two dice and 40 oil markers.

At last, a game that lets me “experience the wonders and terrors of 19th century whaling.” You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for such a thing.

Seriously though, between the Pokemon CCG and Magic the Gathering, battling with cards is enjoyed by millions of nerds around the world. The idea of using classic literature as the backdrop for a CCG is so wacky that I love it!

When you get a chance, check out the Kickstarter pitch and let me know what you think of Moby Dick, or, The Card Game.

Source

Coffee Talk #579: AT&T U-Verse vs. Time Warner Cable

So it looks like I’m going to be switching apartments in the near future. As a nerd, Internet and TV services are a prime concern. Unlike my current domicile, one of the buildings I’m looking at has AT&T U-Verse and Time Warner Cable options. As several of you know, I loathe Time Warner Cable — easily the worst cable company I’ve ever had. However, AT&T isn’t a telecom white knight in shining armor either. That’s where you come in! I would sincerely appreciate your help in thinking this important decision through. Here’s what I have so far…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, round one of the NBA playoffs, Caffe Vita’s Sulawesi Toraja Peaberry, or apartment hunting, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

So it looks like I’m going to be switching apartments in the near future. As a nerd, Internet and TV services are a prime concern. Unlike my current domicile, one of the buildings I’m looking at has AT&T U-Verse and Time Warner Cable options. As several of you know, I loathe Time Warner Cable — easily the worst cable company I’ve ever had. However, AT&T isn’t a telecom white knight in shining armor either. That’s where you come in! I would sincerely appreciate your help in thinking this important decision through. Here’s what I have so far.

AT&T U-Verse
+ Not Time Warner Cable
+ Modern DVR with more capacity
+ FTTN means constant Internet speeds
+ Cheaper
– 250GB monthly Internet cap (doubt I’d hit it, but the principle….)
– $10 up-charge for HD channels
– Can’t buy your own modem, $6/month rental fee required
– Tech visits are potentially expensive

Time Warner Cable
+ No Internet cap
+ Potentially faster download speeds and better ping rates depending on how many users are on the node
+ Can buy your own (better) modem
+ Tech visits are free
– Wretched DVR with low capacity
– Download and ping can dip depending on how many users are on the node
– More expensive

Right now, I’m leaning towards U-Verse. On the work side,  one of the biggest time-sucks in my current workflow is uploading video. Depending on how many people are on the node, my upload speeds range from decent to abysmal. One of the attractive things about U-Verse is having constant Internet speeds.

On the entertainment side, it’s U-Verse all the way. TWC’s DVR has an archaic UI and limited capacity. It’s just awful.

The big question is service. When something goes wrong with TWC, it’s generally resolved quickly and tech support has been friendly in my experience. I’ve read nightmares about AT&T tech support. Since this is something I’ll be relying on for work, service is important.

Anyway, those are my scattered, initial thoughts on AT&T U-Verse vs. Time Warner Cable. I’d love to hear your opinions on the matter, since this is a hugely important choice. Thanks in advance!

Today’s Poll: Darth Vader vs. Lord Voldemort

Today’s poll comes from a debate RPadholic smartguy had with his wife, which was then carried over to the RPad.TV Live Chat. Who would win in a fight between Darth Vader from Star Wars and Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter? In one corner, you have the second-most powerful practitioner of the dark side of the force. In the other, you have the undisputed master of the dark arts (in wizardry terms…though Voldemort is pretty good with charcoal pencils). While the man formerly known as Tom Riddle is a bit more spry, the man formerly known as Anakin Skywalker has cybernetic appendages that help compensate for his mobility (seriously, have you ever seen Darth Vader run?).

This is a great nerd debate that I’d love to argue about over several alcoholic beverage. For now, let’s discuss things in a sober and civil fashion. Kindly vote in today’s poll and explain your answer in the comments section (please!). Avada kedavra vs. force choke — fight!!!

[poll id=”179″]

Coffee Talk #578: Google Fiber Rage

I love Google Fiber…but it’s pissing me off. Last year, I wrote about Google Fiber and the dream of gigabit Internet. Seeing the service spread from Kansas City to Austin to Provo makes my heart soar and crushes it at the same time. While idiot executives at Time Warner Cable (the crap-bag company that currently provides my Internet service) claim that nobody wants gigabit Internet, anyone with common sense can see that these speeds would drastically change the types of Internet services offered and what people can do online. Those kinds of speeds are transformative and…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, Derek Jeter’s broken (again) ankle, the start of the NBA playoffs, or Jennifer Love Hewitt’s surprising second act, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I love Google Fiber…but it’s pissing me off. Last year, I wrote about Google Fiber and the dream of gigabit Internet. Seeing the service spread from Kansas City to Austin to Provo makes my heart soar and crushes it at the same time. While idiot executives at Time Warner Cable (the crap-bag company that currently provides my Internet service) claim that nobody wants gigabit Internet, anyone with common sense can see that these speeds would drastically change the types of Internet services offered and what people can do online. Those kinds of speeds are transformative and the sooner more people have them, the sooner online services can evolve.

It’s not even a chicken-and-egg proposition in my mind. There are hundreds of companies in America that would enable consumers to do all kinds of interesting things online in a way that they can’t today. American ISPs are a barrier — one that will remain for the foreseeable future unless drastic changes are made. For the most part, there’s no incentive for ISPs to advance because most people are covered by monopolies or duopolies. Cable companies and telephone companies are mostly content with being nearly as fast or just a bit faster than the other guy.

Imagine how much better online video, video communications, and online gaming would be if the majority of American Internet services and consumers had access to gigabit Internet? You’d be able to stream 1080p video without buffering. You’d be able to enjoy crystal-clear full-screen video chat with friends and family on the other side of the country. Online games could include more players in a lag-free environment. Perhaps RPadholic smartguy would be able to update his PlayStation 3 in a timely fashion. Those are just some of the improvements gigabit Internet would allow for existing services. There are loads of new services that won’t work (well) with current Internet speeds, but would soar with widely available gigabit Internet.

So yeah, I’m thrilled that Google Fiber is doing well in Kansas City and will be rolled out in two additional cities in the future…but it’s also making me hate Time Warner Cable even more.

Vader’s Little Princess Lands in April

I rarely buy physical books, but I couldn’t resist the utterly charming Darth Vader and Son. It’s a cute, cartoonish take on what it would have been like if Darth Vader raised Luke Skywalker. I’m totally psyched for the follow up, Vader’s Little Princess. As you’ve probably figured out, this book is a whimsical take on the father-daughter relationship between Darth Vader and Prince Leia. The images released totally have me sold. If you need more convincing then check out the video below.

Vader’s Little Princess is set for an April 23, 2013 release.

Google Shopping Express Taking on Amazon Prime?

Word on the street is that Google will be launching a shopping service with same-day delivery called Shopping Express. According to TechCrunch, Google’s service will be slightly cheaper than Amazon Prime and will allegedly include several well known retailer partners (Target, Walmart, Walgreens,Safeway, and more). Would you be interested in this service? Or is Amazon Prime’s two-day delivery good enough for you?

As many of you know, I’m a huge fan of Amazon Prime. I’ve been a member since the program started and I’ve been thrilled with the value. As an old-school Prime member, I enjoy the service primarily for its fast delivery, but there are many new customers — particularly Kindle Fire owners — that love Prime for its “free” digital media library. While Google Shopping Express will reportedly be cheaper than Amazon Prime, there hasn’t been any mention of a digital media component. The focus appears to be on same-day delivery, as opposed to Prime’s two-day delivery paired with a digital library.

However, Google has digital goods in place and it would be easy for Shopping Express to compete with Amazon Prime feature-for-feature. If Shopping Express offered same-day delivery and a large library of streaming media from Google Play, then it woud truly belong with us among the clouds (Lando Calrissian) be an Amazon Prime killer. If it doesn’t have a digital media component then the “Amazon Prime killer” label many are using is somewhat inaccurate.

Hmmmm, all this talk of same-day delivery is giving me flashbacks to Kozmo.com. My friend James and I totally abused the service when we were living in San Francisco. It was awesome getting same-day delivery of food, drinks, music, adult movies, and more. Have any of you enjoyed services that offer diverse goods online and deliver them the same day you order? Is this something you want or are you cool with old fashioned shopping? Should Google Shopping Express have a digital media component? Or should it focus on delivering your stuff hella fast? Shout it out in the comments section (please)!

Source

Handmade Gamer/Nerd Jewelry at Fangirl Emporium

My Facebook friend Amanda has a really cool Etsy store called Fangirl Emporium. Right now she has a bunch of awesome necklace pendants for sale. Gamer neckwear includes a Pokeball from Pokemon, the Umbrella logo from Resident Evil, the Halo symbol, and more. Nerd neckwear includes a Klingon symbol from Star Trek, the bloody smiley face from Watchmen, the Starfleet symbol from Star Trek, and more. It’s pretty sweet stuff!

Kindly check out Fangirl Emporium when you get a chance and leave a comment if anything from Amanda’s store catches your eye. I’d totally wear the Pokeball…but put it on a necklace that’s more masculine.

Source

School House Rock / Star Wars Mashup (Interjections)

School House Rock is awesome. Star Wars is awesome. Put the two of them together and you get on overload of awesomeness! Here’s a mashup video featuring School House Rock’s “Interjections” song set to scenes from various Star Wars movies. It’s a really well done video that’s funny, cool, and educational all at once. Continue reading “School House Rock / Star Wars Mashup (Interjections)”

USPS…the Clothing Line?!?

Cliff Claven fans rejoice! Saturday deliver from the United States Postal Service is ending, but official USPS clothing is on the way. This is obvious a clever ploy from a federal agency capitalizing on everyone that’s dreamed of dressing up as postman. The clothing line will be called “Rain Heat & Snow” and made by Wahconah Group. Here’s a clip from the press release:

“This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion,” said Postal Service Corporate Licensing Manager Steven Mills. “The main focus will be to produce Rain Heat & Snow apparel and accessories using technology to create ‘smart apparel’ — also known as wearable electronics.”

Under the licensing agreement with the Postal Service, Wahconah will initially introduce Rain Heat & Snow apparel and accessories for men with future plans for a women’s line. The goal is to sell this product in premier department and specialty stores.

Hopefully the USPS will be fine with Target and Walmart….

Honestly, I would wear USPS tech-nerd gear, but my fear is that hipsters will also want to wear these threads as a form of ironic fashion. How about you? Any interested in the USPS-licensed Rain Heat & Snow line from Wahconah?

Source