I sense something's coming

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (nibble-size review - doesn't deserve a full bite)

ClarkConnect versus pfSense

Best video game intro's of yesteryear

Beijing Olympic's opening ceremony

Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (bite size review)

Firefox extensions

Glasser - Add Vista glass to Firefox

First kicks: part 2

Windows Live Messenger: Where's the glass?

Get Smart

A growing boy

Windows Vista

First kicks

The singing shark

Google Maps - Oh Yeah!

Why am I still watching Battlestar Galactica?

The squircle of life

House

YaoCoo generic Media Center remote

Upgrading Windows XP

Photo Album: Winter '08

Photo Album: February '08

Photo Album: The end of '07

Photo Album: 01 Oct: Moreton Bay

Photo Album: 04 Aug: Kings Birthday

Photo Album: Camping

Photo Album: Maydaze

Photo Album: 05 May: Birthday Party

Photo Album: 13 Apr: Bowling

Photo Album: 07 Apr: Camping

Photo Album: 01 Apr: Zombie Walk

Photo Album: Marchness

Photo Album: 16 Feb: Nao's Party

Photo Album: Cambodia + Vietnam

Photo Album: Guatemala

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:41:49 GMT

What can I say about the third Mummy film? It's terrible, in almost every way. It doesn't even feel like its part of the same series as the previous 2 films. It's boring, the dialogue is terrible, the characters are dull and irritating, and the film just doesn't flow well. The special effects were pretty good though.

Avoid it, unless you are really, really, bored.

It's a shame. I really liked The Mummy franchise and was looking forward to the third part. Oh well... lets see what Tropic Thunder brings.

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:55:29 GMT

I've long been a fan of ClarkConnect, it's very easy to use and has all the features most home users would want in a home gateway/server machine, such as:

DHCP server
Firewall/Proxy
Web server
Bandwidth allocation
and much more

However, the one thing that is missing from the free version, though it is available in the commercial version, is load balancing multiple Internet connections. Now for the majority of people this is not an issue as they only have 1 Internet connection. I was the same until only recently. Seeing as I am not willing to pay for the commercial version, I need to look elsewhere for a solution, and I have settled upon pfSense.

pfSense is not as complete a solution home server solution like ClarkConnect. It is specifically a firewall/proxy that does support load balancing multiple Internet connections. I haven't played with it much, and actually have a problem likely due to unsupported hardware in the machine - which I'm hoping the newer BETA 1.2.1 will support. I plan to have another look at it over the next day or two.

Both are great products, and I'm hoping I will be equally pleased with pfSense as I am with ClarkConnect.

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:54:49 GMT

We all have fond memories of video game introductory movies and sequences. In fact, I can remember buying a game primarily from seeing the introduction movie. I've only chosen pre year 2000 games as modern games generally have very high quality pre-rendered or in-game introductions. I'm only interested in those uncommonly great introductions. Here are a couple that spring to mind:

1. Mechwarrior 2

This has to be my all time favourite intro. Damn near perfect for it's time, from the skull being crushed by the Mech's foot, to the fireball engulfing the screen - brilliant. All the Mechwarrior games had good intro's.

2. Syndicate Wars

This hasn't aged well, and is in fact quite poor, but at the time I thought it was cool.

3. Command & Conquer

Whilst the intro movie itself isn't spectacular, the entire experience was. Everyone should remember the very fancy installer and the movies throughout. All the Command & Conquer games had good movie sequences - except for Generals.

Any others that you can think of?

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:10:55 GMT

Well, I finally got home from watching the opening ceremony at a friends' house. I have to say, there was some pretty spectacular stuff. Apparently much of the drumming was reciprocated by the baby in the womb - similar types of noises, such as the fireworks, seem to effect the little fella.

As far as the idea of the 4 major Chinese inventions, I wonder what the Korean's think about the movable type claim? I believe China considered Korea to be part of China at the time, perhaps they still do... Maybe you could argue Tibet invented movable type?

My only complaint, and it's a sizeable one, is waiting, for what seemed like 4 hours, for the athletes parade... I think most of us would've gone home earlier if we weren't waiting for Australia, which as luck would have it, was third last.

Here's a final thing for you: How the Beijing Olympics got its logo

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:26:33 GMT

I just finished watching Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (yes, there was a Starship Troopers 2) and quite enjoyed it. It returns to the style of the original movie, rather than the darker atmosphere present in the second film.

The good: New bugs, new ships and new breasts to look at.

The bad: The special effects really could've done with a few more $$.

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:18:46 GMT

It's been a while since I've posted my favourite Firefox extensions, so here is my current crop, and yes, they all work with Firefox 3.

Adblock Plus
Ever been annoyed by all those ads and banners on the internet that often take longer to download than everything else on the page? Install Adblock Plus now and get rid of them.
Adblock Filterset.G Updater
This is a companion extension to Adblock or Adblock Plus and should be used in conjunction with it. This extension automatically downloads the latest version of Filterset.G every 4-7 days.
Firebug
Firebug integrates with Firefox to put a wealth of development tools at your fingertips while you browse. You can edit, debug, and monitor CSS, HTML, and JavaScript live in any web page.
Firesizer
Allows you to resize the window to specific dimensions.
Forecastfox l10n
Get international weather forecasts from Weather.com, and display it in any toolbar or statusbar.
IE View Lite
This is a cut down version of IE View by Paul Roub, which is 47.4 KB. All the same UI and features are there. It has a right click menu item to open a page in IE and a list of sites to always open in IE.
Operator
Operator leverages microformats and other semantic data that are already available on many web pages to provide new ways to interact with web services.
OperaView
Open pages in Opera from Firefox and Mozilla context menus, in the same was as IE View operates.
PDF Download
PDF Download relieves the pain experienced when encountering PDF files on the Web. Whenever you click on a PDF file, PDF Download lets you know before trying to open it, and then offers you choices such as downloading, opening, or converting it straight to HTML.
Stop-or-Reload Button
A Stop-or-Reload. Saves some screen real estate.
Tamper Data
Use tamperdata to view and modify HTTP/HTTPS headers and post parameters.
Webmail Notifier
WebMail Notifier checks your webmail accounts and notifies the number of unread emails... Supports : gmail, yahoo, hotmail, daum, naver, empas, nate and more.

Are there any others that you use?

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:35:14 GMT

I love Firefox 3, but I did wish that it had the nice glass effects from say Internet Explorer 7. Fortunately with Glasser, currently at 1.0.16 BETA, you can. It's still being developed and as such there are some things requiring further polishing, but for the most part it does the trick. Don't forget to read the post for further information on getting Glasser to work as you want.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:19:22 GMT

This pretty much sums my experience up:

Cyanide and Happiness

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:01:47 GMT

I'm intrigued with the lack of support for Windows Vista's Aero effects within Windows Live Messenger 8.5. It was released almost a year after Windows Vista and there was certainly time before that to play with pre-release builds of Vista. Version 9 of "messenger" is being prepared for release, but there doesn't seem like any sign of Aero support at this stage. I'm hoping there is a good reason why it wasn't included, but the more I read about the development of messenger, the more I feel the development team just isn't pulling their weight enough. When I read that 2 of the 5 currently known new features of messenger are being able to use animated gif's for your display picture and being able to click links in personal personal messages, I can't help wonder why it will take almost a year to implement those "features".

It hurts even more when we have to put up with things like white boxes appearing on conversation windows and youtube links being blocked.

I like messenger and I use it a lot, however there doesn't seem to be much advancement going on at the moment. 8.5 is pretty much the same as 7, just with a new skin. Why is it that Yahoo's new messenger looks so much cooler on Vista than Microsoft's own product?

My rant is over for now. Bed time.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:47:26 GMT

Just watched it this evening, and whilst I was a little drunk, I enjoyed it.

Silly, but fun.

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:36:40 GMT

Unfortunately I don't have any shots that are particularly good, but here are a couple more of our baby boy:

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:34:07 GMT

Well I finally got around to installing Windows Vista (64bit Home Premium).

I'm still pretty much of the same mind, I don't hate it, but I don't particularly love it either.

The new interface is inconsistent and somewhat confusing, and whilst I like the new effects Aero provides that alone doesn't overcome the overall amateurish feel of the whole system.

However, the thing that has caught my eye is Vista Media Center. The programs interface, from my limited use so far, is very slick. I'll have a play with it a bit more but if I can get it to do what I want, I may use it instead of Media Portal.

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:23:18 GMT

Etsuko felt the baby kick for the first time today.

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:52:06 GMT

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:22:33 GMT

Noticed that Google Maps now has a more button that places images and wikipedia information on the map. Very nice, I like.

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:11:50 GMT

Is Battlestar Galactica created by the Wachowski brothers? It's certainly appearing so.

How does a series that started so well, seasons 1 and 2, end up as the mess that is season 4? It's been going downhill since season 3 and this weeks episode of season 4 has just killed it for me. I found myself skipping through parts of the episode, just to try and reduce the boredom of watching it. Not good.

Mon, 05 May 2008 02:11:21 GMT

As many of you are now aware, I'm going to be a father late this year. It is due in the first week of November. Here's the first photo.

It's currently healthy, and was very active whilst we were watching on the ultrasound.

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:52:30 GMT

I've started watching the TV show "House", and I don't mind it, but I've already noticed something after just a couple of episodes, that will likely stop me watching it.

A comment on slashdot today sums the show up nicely:

Reminds me of my favorite House episode.

It's the one where they get a patient who's got some really bizarre ailment, and everybody thinks they know what to do, but nothing works until finally House figures out what it really is.

Love that one. Best one in the series hands down.

mooingyak (720677)

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:54:45 GMT

I purchased a YaoCoo MCE remote from Ebay, as it was cheaper than a real one, however, getting it to work with MediaPortal was a bit of a hassle. Fortunately the internet came to the rescue and I have a fully functioning, customisable remote now.

You need:

the KeyboardInputPlugin for MediaPortal
the keyboard.xml from this post (using this file saves you mapping all the keys yourself)

Installation:

Install the KeyboardInputPlugin (follow the instructions in the plugin, though you don't need to copy the keyboard.xml file as we will use the one above)
Copy keyboard.xml to both the \Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\InputDeviceMappings\defaults\ and \Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\InputDeviceMappings\custom\ folders.

The remote should work now. You can change the button assignments if you want by using the KeyboardInputPlugin configuration in the MediaPortal configuration.

This information was taken from:

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:11:35 GMT

After going back to Windows XP, in preparation for playing C&C3:Kane's Wraith, I do miss the graphical bells-and-whistles other OS's provide. I'm looking at alternatives. The major ones being: Gnome 2.20 / Ubuntu 8.04, KDE 4 / Kunbuntu 8.04, Windows Vista or stick with Windows XP and add SP3.

Gnome 2.20 on Ubuntu 8.04

I don't mind Gnome, but have a few issues with it - such as file dialogs and icons. I think I'd be happy with it.

KDE 4.0 on Kubuntu 8.04

In general, I like the style of KDE better than Gnome, however, I'm not ready to use it in it's current state. I'll look again when 4.1 gets released.

Windows Vista

Whilst it's a simple option to move up to Vista, knowing all the programs and being able to play games, I don't like the Aero look. The $139 price tag for Home Premium is much better than before. Still, it's $139 more than the other options here.

Windows XP and install SP3

The other option is to stick with Windows XP and obviously update to SP3 when it's released. No significant changes with SP3 and the same old graphic options.

Decisions, decisions...

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:19:41 GMT

Winter '08

Park in Highgate Hill

Tangalooma wrecks

Tangalooma resort

Moreton Island

Kerrina, Etsuko, Kathryn and Fiona

Paul, Garth, David, Blair and Cameron

Everybody

"Ring, Ring"

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:04:05 GMT

February '08

Tim and Jack (2008.02.01 Tim's Farewell)

King and Etsuko (2008.02.01 Tim's Farewell)

Etsuko and Katheryn (2008.02.01 Tim's Farewell)

Cameron and Katheryn (2008.02.09 Dave's House)

Cameron, Katheryn, Fiona and Saneel (2008.02.09 Dave's House)

Garth and David (2008.02.09 Dave's House)

Cameron and Garth (2008.02.09 Dave's House)

Garth, Cameron, Saneel and David (2008.02.09 Dave's House)

Katheryn, Etsuko and Fiona (2008.02.09 Dave's House)

Etsuko and Garth (2008.02.16 Drinks)

More Photos...

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:27:22 GMT

The end of '07

Cafe at Noosa

Sunset at Perigean Springs

Nat, Etsuko and Dougall

Etsuko

Perigean

Path to Perigean beach

Mapleton Pub

Montville

More Photos...

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:49:33 GMT

01 Oct: Moreton Bay

On your marks. Get set.

Let's Go!

Mmm....

Look at that big bathtub

Looking at Moreton Bay

Don't let the sun go down on me - people will pay to see the daughter do it.

Ahhh...

A generically nice couple shot

Pondering where the ocean is

She sells sea shells ON the sea shore.

More Photos...

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:01:37 GMT

04 Aug: Kings Birthday

More Photos...

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:21:02 GMT

Camping

More Photos...

Thu, 24 May 2007 22:29:15 GMT

Maydaze

More Photos...

Fri, 11 May 2007 08:10:39 GMT

05 May: Birthday Party


Garth	Cindy	Garth and Saneel	Garth, Etsuko and Saneel
Chris and Garth	Etsuko, Cindy, Rebecca and Joohee	Etsuko, Cindy, Rebecca and Joohee	Chris, Etsuko and Garth
	King

More Photos...

Sun, 06 May 2007 08:00:51 GMT

13 Apr: Bowling

More Photos...

Sun, 06 May 2007 07:57:51 GMT

07 Apr: Camping

More Photos...

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:21:25 GMT

01 Apr: Zombie Walk

Aki and Keiko

Chris and Tim

Zombie Garth!

Zombies!!

Zombies!

Chris and Tim

Me in the back

Zombie Tim

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 08:28:40 GMT

Marchness

Aki, Tim and Garth

Aki

Garth

Tim and Aki

On Queen Street

Garth

Aki

Aki and Estuko

Aki

Garth

More Photos...

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:26:20 GMT

16 Feb: Nao's Party

Doug, Rob and Kazuyo

Aki and Nao

Chris, Aki, Rogey, Tim, Ian, Doug

Rogey, Tim, Ian, Joanne

Tim

Rob

Kazuyo and Aki

Kazuyo, Rogey and Aki

Rob

More Photos...

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 09:57:36 GMT

Cambodia + Vietnam

More Photos...

Myohwa, Chris, King and Cameron

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 09:57:36 GMT

Guatemala

Guatemalan bus`s are decked out with chrome detailing and flames etc. painted on the side

They dress and work for more traditionally than Mexicans

Useful? Also note the quality of the road

The sign on the door of my guesthouse

Janine

Sunset

Xela Plaza

One volcano

Another

More Photos...