Escape from City 17 - Parts 1 & 2

In 2009, the Purchase Brothers put their creative genius together to form one of the most epic fan made fillms of all time.  Based on Half Life 2, one would think a budget of merely $500 would lead to total disaster.  Quite the opposite, however.  The videos are causing quite the stir all around the internet. 

For a movie made with "no money, no time, no crew, no script, [and] the first two episodes were made from beginning to end on a budget of $500", it's pretty damn impressive.  See for yourself. 



Escape from City 17:



Escape from City 17 - Part 2:

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Suitcase Drone Libyian Rebels Used

Meet the freedom fighting drone that helped the Libyian Rebels have a much needed edge against the Qaddafi's men.  This bad boy, created by a Canadian team by the name of Aeryon, might look like something out of a DIY kit, but don't let its appearance fool you.  The Aeryon Scout UAV is outfitted with 4 rotors, smart navigation which uses a waypoint system (think Starcraft commands) to get from A to B, has infrared and standard cameras/lenses, and can operate within 2 miles of its handheld control device.  Check out the video of it in action below.

More from Gizmodo.

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Updates on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

GSC Game World has revealed some new details of STALKER 2, which is in development for PC and consoles. According to GSC, this development will not compromise to the original PC version in any way that will support Direct X 11. STALKER 2 will have more elements of survival horror on a new engine platform. GSC confirms that the PC version is the main, and keep intact the system inventory and maps. Terror will come from new areas and underground bunkers in the area between CNPP, Chernobyl and Chernobyl 2, with new types of mutants.

There will be new weapons, and removed the faction system. Is expected to launch by 2012.

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How to Create an Amazing Desktop Experience with Rainmeter

Whether your goal is to make your desktop look beautiful or you want an information-rich desktop that provides constant track of your system status, RSS feeds, and other info, Rainmeter is the best tool for the job. Here's how to use Rainmeter to create an attractive, customizable heads-up display on your Windows desktop.

Windows customization app Rainmeter...

Read More Here [Lifehacker]

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Win a Free T-shirt!

We are currently running a contest to determine our final logo for our new site - The Nerd Lounge.

Now then, let me cut right to the chase. The contest is to see who can create the best new logo for our site, while following a few simple rules, all listed here.

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*To enter your submission:

- Please reply to this thread with your image attached.

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*If you are chosen:

1) Your logo will become the new logo for The Nerd Lounge.

2) You will receive one of the first T-shirts printed with your design.
That's right, you get a T-shirt out of the deal.

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Guest Post: ThatDustinGuy's Acer TimelineX 5830T Review

This is our first guest post.  Special thanks to ThatDustinGuy.  See the "Affiliates" Tab above to view his two websites.

Last week, I went out and purchased a new laptop. After shopping around for a little while, I found an Acer TimelineX 5830T at my local Staple's. It looks really cool, and it has some great features on it too!

First of all, I really love the color. It's not everyday you see a blue laptop. And, blue is my favorite color, so I just had to have it. 

It's super thin, but I don't know the exact measurements. It has a 15.6" 16:9 HD LCD screen, which is plenty big enough for me. It came with Intel Core i3-2310M (whatever that is! haha) and it has 4 gigs of memory and a 640 GB hard drive. The 6-cell Li-ion battery is supposed to get over 8 hours of use, but I haven't really tested out how long it really lasts. However, it has PowerSmart, which is supposed to extend the battery life. 

Okay, now that we've covered the specs, let's get on with the features!

The keyboard is really nice on this laptop. The keys are raised above the dropped-down area beneath them, so typing is easier than on other laptops I've used. It also has the numeric keypad which is excellent. The only problems I have with the keyboard is the space button. I haven't really gotten used to it yet, and the space button requires more pressure than the other keys, so I'm having to train myself to use it. Another thing that I'm having to adjust to is the mouse pad. When I learned to type back in elementary school, I developed this weird habit of using my left hand to hit keys like Y, H, B, and others. And when I do that on this laptop, I usually hit the mouse pad with my left palm, which messes up the typing. But that's just a personal problem! 

Above the keyboard, there is a speaker that runs the entire width of the computer. It's Dolby, and is apparently tuned by professionals. It sounds pretty good, but I haven't really tested to see how loud it will get for fear of busting the speakers. However, at 75% volume, it's plenty loud enough. 

Next to the speaker, there is a P button, and the lights that note Caps Lock and Num Lock. The P button can be easily programmed to open a program, web page, document, etc once pressed. I currently have mine set to open Google Chrome, so the internet is always one button away. I like this key a lot!

On the left side of the laptop, you have an Ethernet plug, a place to attach a projector, an HDMI port, a USB 3.0 port (which I know nothing about), and mic and headphone jacks. 

If you flip it over to the right side, you'll see the charger port (not shown in the photo) the CD/DVD drive, and 3 USB 2.0 ports. Pretty basic stuff...

On the front, you'll find a media card slot, which accepts a multitude of cards, a battery button that displays different colors that represent battery life, and when pressed, turn on/off the PowerSmart function. 

The webcam that's built in seems to be really nice, too!

Above is a photo taken with the webcam, and below is a video.

(I sound retarded in that video. ugh)

Anyways, yeah, that's pretty much all the basics about the Acer TimelineX 5830T laptop that I got. To me, it's a good laptop. But then again, I just use it mainly for the web. What do you guys think of it??

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How to: Create a Button for a Blog - Part 2

---continued from How to: Create a Button for a Blog - Part 1

*Note: clicking the image will enlarge.

      6.  Knowing I would only have a 125 x 125 box to work with, my first move was to crop the picture into a square.  I would then re-size the image once I was satisfied with my work, as it's easier to work with a larger sized picture.  

      7.  Now the fun part begins... Adding text and other cool features.  If you click the Create tab, you will see the bar on the left display a whole new set of features.  

Since we're adding words, let's use the Text sub-tab. See below.

      8.  Here, you have enough options to make a math major's head spin.  There is an impressive array of font selections to browse, considering this is all free.  Once you make your choice, use the box at the top-left to type your words.  (Note: I had to enter 1 letter in at a time, in order to re-size and arrange each individual letter to the keyboard keys.)

      9.  Once all of your text has been input, you can run through the Effects sub-tab, which also offers a jaw-dropping arsenal of free tools to play with.  

      10.  Once you dabble around with the various effects, you can choose to add a custom Frame around your icon by using the Frame sub-tab.  

      Conclusion:  While the icon used throughout the tutorial is slightly different then the actual website button featured on the right side of the page, the process remains the same.  My final product, after much more time tinkering:

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How to: Create a Button for a Blog - Part 1

Let me start by saying Piknik.com is the shiz.  This site let me EASILY create the custom "Living Today's Tech" button.  Within the website's program, I was able to search for some picture to use as a starting point, then customize using a host of different options.  After, I could cut, crop, or resize to my heart's content.  I must say, it was some VERY impressive free software.


Now then, let's get on with it.

How to Create a Button for a Blog:

1. Visualize what you want your blog button to look like.
• This is extremely important, because one can quickly be overwhelmed by all the options outs there.
2. Go to www.Picnik.com and click "Get started now!"

• After a brief load screen, you're ready to get started.

      3.  Your next screen should give you several options.  The ones we are interested in are "Upload a photo" and/or "Open a Demo photo" (see photo below).  In my case, I clicked "Open a Demo."  

      4.  Once in the program, you are once again faced with several options to get to the raw picture you are wanting to edit.  If you plan on pulling a random picture from a search engine (as I did for mine), click the link under "library" which the arrow is pointing to below.  Otherwise, make your selection and move on. 

How the selection process looks

      5.  Once you've made your selection, click "Edit" at the bottom of the photo.  Once in the editor, your screen should look like the picture below.

Zoom using the tool in the bottom-right.

My next steps were to crop and re-size the picture.  Finally, I added a load of special effects from the website's free options.  Each of these is covered in the next part of the story.

---continued in How to: Create a Button for a Blog - Part 2

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Finally... I can actually practice my Air Guitar Skillz

There's a new front runner in the i-peripherals world.  No, it's not a new speaker system or a new set of i-earbuds.  It's not a whirling fan and it's not a pocket light.  It's even better than any of that.  It's an electronic pick that attaches to your ipod/iphone, allowing you to pretend you're playing a guitar. 

Using motion-sensing tech, it will allow you to transform from that omg-what-a-loser dork into a combination of Bradley Pitt + Jason Mraz - Mraz Hat. 

More here.

Actual product page here.

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A Firealarm that TEXTS

 

Baller.

 Man, even today's life saving devices are cool and techy.  It's not enough that I can buy a cell phone that works under water,  flowers made of wires and microchips, or even play video games that allow me to control characters with my movements!... Now I can have a firealarm that texts me when it senses danger.  That's right... my appliances are going to start communicating with me.  Let's give a ~warm~ welcome to Firetext.me's Text Messaging Smoke Alarm.  This bad boy will text up to 4 people, emits a ear-busting 85 decibal alarm, and even runs on batteries.  Sporting a 2 year warranty and currently 45% off, hard to say you can go wrong.

http://firetext.me/

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Spotify lands in America

Everyone needs to grab their party hat- because it's time.  Spotify has arrived!  Review to follow.  For now, enjoy the video and celebrate with the masses.

From Uncrate's article,

"...Boasting a catalog of 15 million songs, it lets you search for and listen to specific songs, artists, and entire albums (for up to 10 hours a month), after which you'll need to pony up $5 for the Premium service and unlimited computer-based listening or $10 for the Unlimited service, which gives you app access from your iPhone or Android device, the ability to download music for listening online, enhanced sound quality, and much more. Sorry iTunes Match, but you're no match for this..."

I, for one, welcome our new music overlords.

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WiGig to offer 7Gbps speeds

I'm always amazed to watch the progression of new technology.  I've lived through the evolution of cellphones, the growth of the internet, and the increased sophistication at which we communicate.  50 years ago, computers were laughable.  Systems that took entire up rooms now fit neatly in my hands.  I remember the familar sound of static (and almost music) of logging in to AOL. 

With all this growth; this expansion of our understanding of how technology can be improved, our pace never falters.  We don't slow down with the announcement of a scientific breakthrough.  Just the opposite! The pace quickens!  Breakthroughs are a dime a dozen in today's world.  We expect it.  If the newest generation of phone or graphics card doesn't cause me to drool, then it isn't worthy of my time or attention.  I don't intend to sound bitter towards this growth, because it excites me.  I'm simply pointing out a truth about today's day and age.

/rant


I honestly believe the most useful breakthroughs are the ones that give us (the common consumers) faster access to internet.  Get me a device that can easily handle streaming high def. videos, and I'll finally be content.  One day, we'll be able to video chat with our friends in other countries, but with perfect quality- as though they are actually sitting beside you.

While we're not quite there yet, we're headed the right direction with WiGig.  Read below for more details.


"...WiGig is a specification for hardware that uses 60GHz frequencies to transmit up to 7 gigabits of data per second over the air; for comparison, 802.11n WiFi tops out at a few hundred megabits per second. In other words, a download of an HD episode of Archer on WiGig would take mere seconds, even without perfect reception. The system has been in development for some years now. The WiGig Alliance recently pegged the launch of capable devices for the first half of 2012.

WiGig is sufficiently advanced to have its own IEEE 802.11 standard, coded as 802.11ad. Using it at the time of release will require some new hardware both to send and receive signal, similar to when 5GHz started to make its way onto the market..."

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/07/beamforming-your-data-how-wigig-will-offer-7gbps-speeds.ars

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