Tag: Geek Stuff

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?

Source

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

Neil deGrasse Tyson Meets Superman

Here are two panels from Action Comics #14. This issue’s backup story features renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. This is outstanding for several reasons. Firstly, Tyson is one of the most outspoken and coolest scientists in America today. He’s the closest thing the world has to Carl Sagan in terms of making science fun and approachable. In a country where religion is used to spread fear and misinformation, Tyson is a much-needed voice of reason.

Secondly, Tyson’s awesomeness has him in a comic book hanging out with Superman! That completely rules.

Rumor: Disney to Buy Hasbro

Since purchasing Lucasfilm wasn’t enough, here’s a rumor that’s both exciting and terrifying: Disney is in talks to buy Hasbro. In addition to being one of the largest toy companies in the world, Hasbro has the rights to Transformers, G.I. Joe, Dungeons and Dragons, Nerf, Magic: The Gathering, and more. Here’s the story from MTV Geek:

We have it on good authority that serious discussions are happening at the highest levels of both Disney and Hasbro to fold the largest toy and game company on the planet into the Mouse.

From what we’re told, these are still just discussions at this point, but serious enough that something could be announced at any time and create ripples throughout the entertainment industry.

While the crossover potential would be amazing, that’s perhaps too much geek power for any one company to have. Imagine a single entity controlling all the beloved characters from Disney movies, Pixar films, Star Wars, Transformers (not the crap movie, but the awesome toys/cartoon), G.I. Joe, Marvel Comics, D&D, and more?!? On one hand, it would be awesome that an entertainment company with a track record of hands-off reverence would be controlling these properties. On the other hand, it’s a bit terrifying that one company would singlehandedly control almost everything most of us loved as a kid.

What do you think of the Disney-buying-Hasbro rumor?

Source

Denny’s to Feature Food and Drinks Based on The Hobbit

You’ve seen the first television commercial for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, now wash it down with some Shire Sausage at Denny’s! The restaurant chain has announced a line of food of beverages based on the upcoming movie. I’m pretty sure the Hobbit Hole Breakfast was not what JRR Tolkien had in mind when he wrote the book, but let’s just go with it. Here’s a clip from the press release:

Denny’s new “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”-themed menu will feature a diverse selection of eleven new breakfast, lunch and dinner menu offerings including the “Hobbit Hole Breakfast,” “Frodo’s Pot Roast Skillet,” and “Build Your Own Hobbit Slam,” which includes new limited time holiday favorites such as “Pumpkin Patch Pancakes,” “Shire Sausage,” and “Seed Cake French Toast.”

Normally, I ignore restaurant tie-ins with movies, but this one is so cheesy (not in the dairy-product sense) that it makes me smile. I don’t even like Denny’s all that much, but I sure as hell am going to order some of these dishes when they become available on November 6, 2012.

Any of these Hobbit-themed concoctions sound good to you?

Source (PDF)

Still Man Fights Available in Paperback

Justin Leeper’s book Still Man Fights is now available on paperback! Many of you know Justin from his fine hosting in RPad.TV videos, while others of you know him from his days at Game Informer or as a jobber in the Minnesota independent wrestling scene. Give the brother some support and pick up his book. It has a sweet cover, is a fun read, and will only run you $7.99.

Ecko Unlimited Batman Arkham City Threads Available Now!

Ecko Unlimited has unveiled its limited edition Batman Arkham City threads. The crown jewel of the collection is the full-zip Batman hoodie pictured above. In addition to Batman clothes, the line includes t-shirts that feature Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn. The t-shirts list for $19.50, while the hoodie runs for $149.50. The shirts are available on Amazon if you’d like to support this site. The thing to do, of course, is to wear the Batman hoodie and randomly spout, “I’m Batman!” in the style of How It Should Have Ended.

Any of you going to pick any Ecko Unlimited Batman threads?

Internet Nerds Mock Mitt Romney on Amazon

Oh Internet nerds…you make me laugh. Liberals have been mocking Mitt Romney for using the phrase “binders full of women” during last night’s presidential debate. The joking has infiltrated Amazon.com. Check out the reviews for the Avery Durable View Binder with 2 Inch EZ-Turn Ring, White, 1 Binder. Here are some of the recent review titles:

A presidential candidate’s choice is the choice for me

Not as useful as the Trap Her, Keep Her

Mine did not come pre-filled with women

Holds All My Women

Keeps me in line, husband happy!

Here are some choice lines from the reviews:

I have a lot of trouble getting my women into most binders. It would be very helpful if this was bundled together with a heavy duty three hole punch.

Don’t get me wrong, when I was given this binder, it was chock full of women. I mean, I went out of my way to get people to bring this binder to me. However, after I was given this one binder, suddenly a second binder plopped on top of it. Now I had binders full of women. And with an EZ-Turn Ring, I could take women in and out of these binders. The color of this binder, white, is perfect, by the by. Gosh, I can’t imagine any other color my binders full of women might come in.

My grandfather ran businesses, and his father before him. We used to keep women in loose leaf folders.

Family harmony was threatened by my general inability to make good judgements and not be able to find Cabinets, so my lovely man thoughtfully bought this binder and he clips me into it whenever things get out of hand. We’re all SO much happier.

When I pile my binders full of women on top of each other, the weight causes the rings to buckle a little bit and misalign and then sometimes my women do get caught on the rings. But we all know how women are, right? Typically heavy and hung up on rings!

This binder has more than enough room to hold all of my women, some of whom cook dinner for me. I wish it came in pink, though.

As a woman, I was disappointed that the “gap-free” claim was in reference to the rings in the binder, not to gender equity in wages. But the trade-off is that the binder did let me leave work in time to go home and cook dinner.

The reviews are piling up. I encourage you to hit up Amazon and give them a read.

Source

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.

Star Wars Eyeglasses Completely Rule!

I was going to save up for Lasik surgery…but then I saw this awesome line of Star Wars eyewear! Check out these eyeglasses inspired by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, R2-D2, Boba Fett, and more. They completely own. These eyeglasses are set to ship at the end of the month and will run you $499.99. That’s expensive, but totally worth it to have The Force be with you, don’t you agree? More pictures of these awesome Star Wars glasses are below. Continue reading “Star Wars Eyeglasses Completely Rule!”