My Top News

Figured after beating it once (and half-way through 2nd run) I'd post a bit of a review on the 2nd Bad Company game to be released. Let me start by saying I only played single player, played it on the PC and did not play the first BC game.

Next let me just sum up the game with one word: Awesome. I didn't give BF:BC a chance as I came away unimpressed after playing a demo but with such great initial impressions, I figured I'd try BC2 and glad I did. Visually it's just great, especially when pumped to the highest settings (which I could do, but barely, 40 FPS dipping to 20 and as low as 10 when a LOT was going on), but even with anti-alasing and such turned down it looks great.

Details on people's faces, just overall textures, lighting in the jungle - very impressive. And of course the most impressive is the destructive portion that helps Battlefield: Bad Company 2 separate itself from other games. Not only does it look great seeing a building tumble down in real-time (not a generated scene), but the tactics make you think. Now an RPG shooter on the roof would simply make you duck behind a building in Modern Warfare 2, here if you do that, chances are that rocket will go through 2 walls and seriously hurt you.

The engine makes you think unlike other games in the genre - cover that you would once think could protect you from anything giving you time to re-group, is just a rocket or grenade away from leaving you completely exposed.

These are always news stories but I'll be mixing in other things, first with a great overview with some amazing insight into the world of Scientology. It discusses some of the former members, some very high ranking (previously) and the reprocussions of those that do decide to leave the church. A definite must read.

For those that don't know, the arrest of Mullah Baradar by the CIA and US in a joint operation just around a week ago was initially heralded as a huge success and the most significant capture since 9/11.

However with more information out there and time passed, the opinion pieces positive look on the capture has been hampered a little. An article from the NY Times claims the biggest winner was Pakistan, earning itself a seat at the table for any negotiation to end the war in Afghanistan.

Worse is the announcement by the Pakistani senior minister that #2 Baradar will not be handed over to the US along with two other high-value militants. Instead if they are found to have not done anything, they will be deported to Afghanistan.

In addition, the NY Times reported that Pakistani security officers didn't even know who they had captured - a US offical called it a "lucky accident". Acting on a US tip, the security officials met no resistance during the raid. Lastly a push by the CIA to transfer Mullah Baradar to an American-run prison in Afghanistan was prompted by the reported refusal by the Militant to provide information on insurgents.

Unfortunately what was a big capture that was not only a big impact of the man being captured, but what appeared to be a big reversal in US-Pakistani relations, the state of closeness of the ISI and the Taliban as well as the wealth of knowledge Baradar had on Taliban operations, camps, etc.

I don't want to be a pessimist, as the capture is still a big deal as he was the senior military leader of the Taliban, but instead frustration with Pakistan. For some reason they still (or the ISI doesn't) view Taliban as a threat to them, instead only India. Now let me note they are just articles not with the best sources so let's hope they turn out wrong and the initial assesment of Pakistani change in policy towards the Taliban has finally changes for the better. (for us)

For the doubters they had arrested two shadow governors of Afghanistan and there refusal to simply turn over three high value targets to the CIA is understandable. It will be interesting to see how this story develops.

Figured I'd post on the eve of yet another snow storm hitting Cincinnati. We already have 3-6 inches (just a guess) on the ground now and are expecting 3-5 additional inches by Monday evening and possibly up to 8 inches by Tuesday. As well it looks like there will be small snow showers on Tuesday, Wednesday and possibly another snow storm on Saturday.

And yet I'm one of the few actually enjoying this. I love the snow and the cold (hate summer, dont like late spring) so this type of weather is something I wish I could experience year-long. Unfortunately, however, it is mid-February so the snow and the cold won't last much longer at all so I'll just be enjoying it while I can.

AdaptCMS 2.0

After some finished features done a few weeks ago, progress has slowed to a halt in the past few days or so. Media has become the first big feature to essentially be finished - frontend and backend. (with video support, but more bug testing necessary)

Stats also received some big changes, although progress halted because chart support was being found to be quite difficult to integrate in. (right now I'm seriously considering not putting charts in, it is after all the information that's important)

The start of the "frontend acp bar" was done, you simply edit a template and can have anything you want in it. (so all that needs to be done is a default template with options in it)

Next up will be finishing stats, additional work on the Share feature and possibly starting on the "Social" features of Adapt 2.0

Until next time.

With another 6-day work schedule, it's kind of difficult, but I'm trying to fit in more time for the web stuff. (sounds like anyone of my blogs in the past 2 years, huh?) Lately I've had more time with AdaptCMS 2.0 and have been making good progress, but still have a ways to go.

Zune HD

To go with something more fun, I realized a few minutes ago that I never posted my impressions of my zune HD and if there are people considering getting it - it's well worth the money.

To get the bad stuff out of the way - the Internet is mediocre (better than initial release but not fast, no flash, etc.), the amount of apps is very small, a screen protector is a must IMO and that's pretty much it.

Those are even minor or excusable negatives, but the positives far outweigh those. First off it's just a great looking device. The 16 GB one I got is black, thin and a great looking design.

Continue...

What started as a seemingly silly sounding news article at TMZ claiming that the "Jay Leno Show" had been cancelled, has turned in to be one of the ugliest, most public blowups in recent television history. Since watching TV I certainly have never seen hosts on networks attack a network or host (Leno) as much as with this fiasco.

It all started with that TMZ article, then more sources and finally the public revealing that the Leno show was no more and then the ugliness and one of the most surprising decisions in recent TV history occurred - NBC came up with Leno at 11:35-12:05 and Conan as the Tonight Show on from 12:05-1:05. While it may seem decent as it keeps both popular hosts on and avoids any breach of contracts (just a simple re-negotiation with Jay), that's the only positive.

It cuts Jay's TV time in half and he stays as the Jay Leno Show, Conan gets screwed with the Tonight Show being pushed back for the first time in it's 60 year history and is once again behind Leno despite having the most prized Late Night Show. Needless to say Conan wasn't happy and publicly said "NO". As it is right now, all indications (and some sources) say that Leno has been offered and agreed to come back to the Tonight Show with Conan, as soon as next week, gone.

Even though it's just a squabble with Last Night talk show hosts, it's quite amazing because of the TV impact it has. It is also one of the biggest PR hits I've seen a network take, every late night host (including NBC's own) attack it nightly - Ferguson called the network "lying rat bastards".

Anyways nothing is finalized yet but the long term effects for Conan and NBC seem enormous. The short-term effect on NBC is hugely bad, likely also bad on Leno for PR reasons as well, NBC has Leno at the helm for a few years - very unlikely more than 5 years with the heir as Fallon? No, instead an outsider would be hired and would struggle for decent ratings for a while. Oh, the irony.

First just want to say congrats to Ohio State! Even though UC was blown out, I was happy to finally see OSU win a bowl game.

Last blog I was talking about Christmas and what to buy with my money and after some research I've gone with the Zune HD. Along with 2-day shipping and a gel skin it was $213 at amazon thanks to a sale, the Zune HD is normally $219 just by itself - so not bad.

Can't wait to get it, should be Tuesday as long as UPS is right - in the meantime I'll look up any apps or whatever I should get. I'll post a review once I get it.

In AdaptCMS news more and more progress has been made. (albeit slow) Most of the core admin is done, next I'll be getting some of the basics in the frontend done along with working on some of the share features. From there I'll start skinning the admin cp into templates along with the more advanced features.

Didn't get to post on Christmas so I figured the day after would be good enough. I had a good one too - didn't do much, just spent time with family and watched a lot of TV. Gift wise I mainly got cash - $200 from family members and then from my mom got earbuds, microfleece and a nice new pillow. (the memory foam type)

Anyways I'm not really sure what to do with the cash - might look around online a bit, but going to save it for the moment. Was thinking of a blu-ray, but decided against it.

As for web news - still lots of work to do on AdaptCMS, but it is up at the AdaptCMS 2 Developer Website. Before the ACP is setup as templates, I'd like to get all the modules done - stats is up next. After than, work will be slowly start on the frontend and some of the "Share" features.

That's all for now.

Just posting a small update here. Business as usual - work, TV and some web work.

Work

Work's been going fine - a new employee was hired recently and with my promotion, I got my raise. (although my first check @ 8.50 was hurt badly by taxes) But no complaints.

Television

Unfortunately my favorite show on TV, Sons of Anarchy, had it's eason finale with something like 9 months until the next season. But what a show, I can't wait already for Season 3!

At least before then I'll have a lot of shows in the meantime - 24 (maybe the last season?), Lost Season 6 (last one), Burn Notice, etc.

Web Work

Since the last update there's been a good amount of progress - some basic modules are done such as - Users, Groups, Levels, Content, Sections, Fields. Now it may sound like the script is getting close to completion but it isn't. Just those modules are only partially done - basically functioning and with the new SQL structure but new features aren't implemented yet, I want to get the whole basic cp done and then go from there.

I'm hoping to soon have the basic admin modules done - Comments, Files/Media, Pages, Polls, Settings, Skins. That doesn't include things like the support area which will be worked on in conjunction with improving the AdaptCMS v1 code and implementing new features. The frontend itself won't even be started for a little while.

Anyway that about wraps it up. I will have a demo of 2.0 up sometime this week.

Well after a few weeks of waiting my training day has come and I passed so I'm now officially a Shift Leader at UDF. The jump from Clerk to Shift Leader is pretty small - responsibilities are pretty much the same and I'll be the same on the food chain, just one person underneath me.

The nice thing, other than title and accomplishment is of course the raise - something like 50 cents/hour which will be great. It's nothing huge, but just something nice to get when you've never worked anywhere else for more than 6 months - let alone a promotion.

In other news I've been working on AdaptCMS, getting some progress while helping the new owner of OneCMS to release that script as well. A release for OneCMS 2.6 could be seen in the coming weeks - mostly a lot of bug fixes and file changes, but also some new features.

I'm hoping to get some basics of the AdaptCMS 2.0 backend somewhat finished by next week - since I want to make so many changes, but keep a lot of the basics I'll be nearly re-creating the admin panel and then changing it afterwards. (for possible features like editing the way the admin looks and such) Once the basic admin cp is done, work will likely start on the Insane Visions features as well as early frontend work before the new design is bought.

I'll have some early pics up this weekend.

Just a post to update on some things. First, my promotion is next Wednesday - I figure I'll be told the details on Monday, can't wait!

AdaptCMS 2.0 progress although slow, has started and has made some progress has been made - mostly SQL and some of the basic files are being done. (admin/frontend core with the start of features starting as early as tonight) I hope to have some basics and maybe a feature or two done by the end of the week. (like settings, adding content, stuff like that)

Work will also finally begin on AdaptBB 1.1 fairly soon, probably once a decent amount is done on AdaptCMS. I'll try and do some brainstorming in the meantime.

Anyways that's about it.

Just a few updates to post here. First off I've been promoted at work, it'll take in effect the 18th of next week once I complete the training. Very few added responsibilities and a 50 cent/hour raise, so not bad.

In web news, OneCMS has been sold. I'll stay in a limited capacity with the script - mostly for support after the release of 2.6 and time to time, support for the new owner. We also have a deal in place with link backs. (we update each of our sites with news from the other scripts)

The official announcement regarding onecms will be made in the coming days on the Insane Visions website.

As for AdaptCMS, a blog will be posted sometime this next week about more of the new features coming to 2.0. Some work has been done on the script, I'm hoping some very early pics can be taken in the next few weeks.

That's all for now.

Figured I'd update, one of my 2 days of this week. Thanks to another newegg sale I picked up a 1 TB HD for only $80 shipped. I also got a wireless network adapter and a new router - however I'm getting refunded for the router, a D-Link DIR-625, which had a lot of problems with it. I'm going to end up paying a bit more for a higher quality router.

In other news OneCMS will be under new management shortly. I was contacted and agreed to sell the script, the sale is under way now. A 2.6 version will be coming out in the coming months. As for AdaptCMS 2.0, I'm expecting a release sometime at the end of the year as long as some significant progress can be made in the coming weeks.

As for my laptop, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with it. Right now it's a backup/mom uses it. But I'd like to have some great use for it, just difficult with decent performance and a very small HD. (80 GB)

Anyways that's about it. Just working, TV, the usual.

Fall TV season has already started and it's back with so many great shows. On Monday's the Big Bang Theory, How I met your mother and a fantastic season premiere of House. Tuesday with Sons of Anarchy, NCIS and new - NCIS: Los Angeles. Wednesday back with Criminal Minds and Thursday with The Office, Bones, Community and a series premiere of FlashForward.

That enormous list doesn't include several cable shows such as It's always sunny or a few shows upcoming (Stargate Universe, LOST). In short, a LOT of Television.

Besides watching a TV, I've been working a lot. 6 days this week, I have Saturday off and just worked my earliest shift yet - a 7-4. (Audit) I'll probably be back to 5 days next week though, with everyone at work having there vacation the past month.

All this time with my PC and I'm still gaming - I've had a lot of games to catch up with. I'm hoping to finally get AdaptCMS back to active status and get work done on 2.0 finally. I have all the tools needed, maybe Saturday can be the day to jumpkick things back into motion.

That's about it.

"Vladimir Putin, Russia’s prime minister, dropped his strongest hint so far on Friday that he might try to return to the Kremlin and run in the 2012 presidential election."

I was dreading this day since Putin "left office". The so-called Russian democracy saw a hand-picked president choosen and Putin remained on as "Prime Minister". Putin used the logic of himself and Medvedev compared to Blair and Brown in the UK.

Now I don't know if he ignored or maybe he forgot that Blair resigned, whereas Putin simply ended his second term - kind of a difference. Maybe he was referring simply to the fact that the public didn't have a chance at voting for Brown and if so - he isn't exactly well liked over there, so not a comparison you want to be drawing. :p

Regardless this might be the biggest non-surprise since Chavez "won" the election again and talked about becoming President for life. The bad news in all this is the Russian public - they want it. Polls have shown very high popularity for Putin and a high percentage would be happy with Putin back as President.

Unfortunately it looks like there wish will likely come true.

NOTE: I almost forgot to say that the one bit of good news out of this is the apparent signs of Medvedev actually trying to distance himself from Putin. See here.

Ah well updates have still been slow lately - no excuse except that I'm just enjoying my PC and still enjoying my HDTV, along with working.

I bought a new mouse on Tuesday - my wireless one is good, but every so often (randomly) it will start moving very laggy - something that will become more of a nuisance the more I game. I picked up the Logitech G5 after a lot of deliberating along with a cheap mouse pad. I paid an extra 10 bucks getting it at Best Buy, but considering the shipping costs for that and the mouse pad - I probably came out even.

With my computer pretty much all setup (in fact I recently installed apache/php/mysql), I'm starting to experiment with some software changes and additions. Winamp as my media player and trying out fraps for games. With that program I can easily capture screen shots and videos, I will start posting those soon. (a great companion to some of my upcoming video game reviews)

Anyways it seems Fall is trying to start. From the milder weather (though still summerish) to the leaves falling from the trees, I cannot wait until Fall weather itself begins and with it the new TV season. Already it's begun with one of the best shows on television - Sons of Anarchy. A must watch show back for it's season 2. Then football season starts on Thursday - a great week for TV!