Tagged - technology

Saitek Eclipse Review

Friday, June 19th, 2009

I did a little research before buying this keyboard, I was wondering what the difference was betwen the Saitek Eclipse II and the Saitek Eclipse. Apparently the only real difference is that the Saitek Eclipse II has different LED colors you can choose. So, I decided to just go with the Eclipse since blue elimination is all I wanted anyway.

Getting down to it, I basically just plugged it in and it was auto-detected by Windows XP, and lit up right away. As far as looks go, it’s pretty sleek. I was more interested in overall comfort though, and this keyboard seems to be delivering me plenty of comfort with the wrist wrest at the bottom. I type A LOT so comfort is pretty important. I didn’t want any ergonomic keyboard, I’m too used to the “regular” keyboard layout to bother with anything fancy. The keys feel pretty nice and responsive. Another thing that’s nice is it blends really well with the rest of my desktop. My computer case (the Antec 900) glows blue pretty heavily, the other color being black. My mouse is black, my mousepad is black, my LCD screens are black, my speakers are black, so yea it blends really well with the rest of my desktop. The only thing that doesn’t blend is my mouse which glows green, for some reason I didn’t get a blue glowing mouse.

Enough about that though, doesn’t really relate to the product itself :) The illumination isn’t 100% the same over all the keys, but it’s good enough. I never look at the keys anyway, since I know exactly where pretty much every single key is anyway. I just wanted illumination because it looked cool :) Oh yea, and when I’m typing it doesn’t make a ton of noise, my last keyboard made much more noise when I typed.

If you’re just looking around for a nice regular keyboard that feels nice and looks sleek, this might be your keyboard :)

You can check it out at Amazon here.

Technology Experimentation Tips

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

1. Read read and read some more. If you’re new to technology this may seem overwhelming. Technology, whether it be programming, computers, gadgets, etc, you need to read up on the subject. Once you get used to using more advanced/technical devices, you will find that keeping up with changes in technology is not that difficult. More advanced reading will require specific forums, for things such as modification or “hacks”.

2. Get help if you need it. Use forums! If you have an issue with something, why not make use of forums? They are free support. Generally there is a forum for every niche in the technology realm.

3. Read books. If you are studying a particular device, and trying to make a technical modification there are probably books available for it. An example would be Xbox modification.

4. Use your imagination. If you want to make a device do something it’s not intended for, find out if it’s possible. Chances are if it’s possible someone has already done it.

5. Stick to it. The old saying applies. “If at first you don’t succeed try, try, and try again.”

Some people may not realize that the Internet is FULL of information that you sometimes have to dig for. I mentioned a few times that FORUMS are probably the most wealthy in free knowledge on advanced, specific subjects. Don’t forget blogs though, they have also been useful for me when I’m dealing with specific issues. This blog was primarily started to *hopefully* provide easier access to some information that I have dugg up from forums.

The DSE901 Electronic Cigarette Reviewed

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

I saw a post somewhere on the internet about these devices and was intrigued. I am a pack a day smoker, and I have tried to quit, but failed miserably on each attempt. When I saw that you could “smoke” healthier, I was very skeptical. Since I’m an electronic geek however, I thought it would be fun to try anyway.

There are three main components of an electronic cigarette. There is the cartridge, which contains a solution of mostly nicotine and water. Then there is the atomizer, which creates the vapor you inhale. The last component is the battery, which also contains the LED at the end.

When I first heard about these I asked a few questions. Why don’t more people use them if they work so well? The answer I found: Not many people know about them, there is very little advertising. Cigarette manufacturers certainly don’t want you to know about them, you’ll stop buying their product. There also may be something with the government, they want to continue to receive tax dollars from all the cigarette purchases. (Not sure about this one, just something I have read)

I am very pleased to tell you that smoking from an electronic cigarette almost perfectly simulates real smoking. I am simply amazed. The only real difference you will notice with this particular model, is that it takes quite a bit more inhaling to get a good “hit” compared to a regular cigarette. This could probably be remedied by trying out different models, I’m sure some produce tons of vapor, and almost perfectly emulate a cigarette.

The amount of time a cartridge lasts is kind of disappointing, I popped one in at 4PM and by 8:30PM it was done. However, I have purchased  60mL e-liquid that should get here fairly quick. I may have to rely on analogs for a little while till it gets here. Battery life seems decent enough, it’s still going strong after 4 and a half hours of use. I will update with a more full review of this particular e-cig once I’ve used it longer. Expect me to be trying out a few other models and listing the reviews here as well.

Do I think this will become a big hit in the near future with smokers everywhere? Yes I do. How can you go wrong with something that feels and tastes just like a cigarette? One exception! There is no other chemicals to harm you. No more tar, no more staining your teeth, the walls, no more smelling up the entire room when you smoke, and no more mess with ashes. How can you go wrong? My mind is made up, I’m going for the switch.

Remember, most do not advise that you use electronic cigarettes to try and quit. They are too similar to real cigarettes. I know it might sound like I am marketing or something, but I’m not. This is the truth.

Anyway, if you’re a smoker, and feel the need to switch to something healthier, I would say electronic cigarettes are going to be your best bet.

If you’re thinking of switching, you might also want to check out http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ They seem to have the largest e-cigarette community :)

You can buy the DSE-901  here.

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(Click to enlarge)


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Hmm.. What do I want for Christmas?

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

I do have a few things on my list, but it’s pretty short.

20-227-267-062X2GB OCZ Reaper ram sticks

23-126-009-07

Logitech G11 Gaming Keyboard (Or similar.. Mines worn out.. )27-151-171-02

Samsung SH-S223F CD/DVD Drive

That’s really about it. Feel free to give me suggestions on other Ram, Keyboards, or CD/DVD Drives. These items aren’t set, it’s just generally what I’m looking for with my christmas money. Some people have been pestering me about getting an Xbox 360, I still don’t want one, and I’m not sure about getting one just because other people want me to. I’m a PC Gamer, live with it. (Though if I got one, I would most certainly mod the heck out of it, that’s the most fun I ever get out of consoles.)

Images taken from newegg.com.