January 11, 2006
The gift of life
There’s a blood drive going on at the Perdanasiswa today and
it’s going to last the week. Since it’s been 3 years, 11 months and 5 days
since I last donated blood, I guess it’s about time I pick up the noble habit.
This will be the third time I’ve donated blood. The reason
why I wasn’t keen was I hated needles poking into my skin. It hasn’t turned
into a phobia yet, so before it dose, I’d better face and overcome my fear.
The initial process was rather fast and problem free. They took
my weight (hey, lost 2 kg!) tested my blood type, blood density and blood
pressure. After all the test and question bombardment on health issues, I proceed
to the next room where recliners (like in the show Matrix) are. So I picked a
seat and a nurse attended to me. It is this visit that my perception on blood
giving has totally changed. The nurses there are really professionals. When I was
pricked and had the needle stuck in me, I felt nothing at all. I was in high
spirits and began pumping blood. But then the past events caught up. For some
untold reason, my blood ooze out instead of a gushing flow like Nizam’s, my new
found friend at the blood drive. In the end, I had a nurse to baby sit me,
making sure that the blood is continuously flowing or risk a blood clot. It’s
so slow that Nizam has already left when the bag is only ¾ full. Next time I should
try the right arm.
Once the bag was full, it was removed while I rested. I don’t
think that I even need to sit for the cumpulsury 5 minutes since I don’t feel
light headed and I was in good health.
Through the short half hour visit, it’s comforting to know
that there are people who still cared. People like Nizam who are regular donors
are quite plentiful that morning. The national blood bank has tried various
ways to get people into donating blood and the one trick was “bribing” with
lucky draw, certificate and a keychain. I think that it’s unnecessary spending
because nothing can beat the feeling that my one bag of blood can save another
4 lives.
January 9, 2006
Shit List: Max Shooter for the PS2
Firstly this was going to be another typical product review.
Since I hated this product so much, I just have to warn everybody against
buying this lousy piece of plastic that claims to enhance your gaming
experience. I was too late for the “What Not to Buy for Christmas”, so I’ve
decided to add a new category titled “Shit List” where it will be home for
loads of crap that I’ve been duped into buying.
Max Shooter for the PS2
What is it?
Keyboard and Mouse Adapter for the PS2
In other words: replace your typical PS2 controller with a
PC keyboard and mouse
In 10 words or less, why it suck?
It don’t work, Cord too short, Very pricy
Full review
There are a fair amount of great FPS games available for the
PS2, namely Time Splitter 2, Killzone and SOCOM: US Navy SEALs. Other TPS games
that I find equally as entertaining are Kill Switch and Splinter Cell series. Originally
first and third person shooters are designed and played on the PC. Hence, the
use of keyboard and mouse. Though developers can port the best first person
shooters to the console, the experience is never the same as the mouse is far
quicker and accurate than a joystick. That’s why there are very little FPS
games for consoles. So I got the Max Shooter so I can play Time Splitters 2 at
a more difficult level (as difficulty increase, more levels are unlocked).
What it dose is emulate the PS2 gamepad on both the keyboard
and mouse. The WASD emulates the left analog stick, while the mouse emulates the
right analog stick. While the remaining buttons are scattered throughout the keyboard
depending on its preset configuration.
Operating the Max Shooter is fairly easy. Just plug the
right plugs into the right port and we are set. So I put in the Time Splitters
2 DVD and fired up the system. The keyboard responded well at the menu and even
in the game. So far so good. But when it comes to aiming, my greatest horror materialized.
As I moved the mouse around, it only registered the horizontal movement while
the vertical movement was completely ignored. Even as the screen moved left and
right it’s very very slow. So, I consulted the manual to see if I’ve missed out
anything. I have. Apparently there’s also sensitivity setting and deadzone
setting for the mouse. So, I maximized the sensitivity and reduced the dead
zone only to realize there’s no difference. Desperate, I did the complete
opposite and still got the same result. “Maybe it’s the game” I told myself, so
I tried it with Kill Switch instead. Still I got the same sloppy response as I did
with the previous game.
Rubbing salt into the wound
At this point I’m already furious having to fork out RM119
on a device that failed to work as it claimed. Furthermore the cord of the max
shooter is very short, about 6 inches and if your keyboard cable is not long
enough, you’d be sitting in front of the TV. But the good thing is that you won’t
be sitting so close to the TV because you won’t be playing with this god
forsaken product because you are reading this article.
January 8, 2006
Glowing clock
Just got this on Saturday. It sold for RM50 at Gizmo Shop 1U. I got this thing at RM30. In fact since it so cheap, I got two (the other one comes with digital thermometer). Oh, before I forget, I got mine at a bulk order in an online forum.
Full Review
What can I say more about a Made in
China
clock that glows? For RM30,
it’s sure affordable. There are two types to choose from, one is with temperature
display while the other didn’t. Everything else is pretty much the same.
The clock is made from smooth white plastic like those that
you’d find at Ikea products giving it a ‘class’ feel. There are no sharp edges
so it’s virtually safe for children below 3 to play with it. At the front is
the big LCD display that displays time, date and temperature. At the bottom are
of course, the battery compartments. One for the clock, and one for the changing
mood lights. (There’s an adapter jack at the back in the event you don’t want
to use batteries.) Also located at the bottom are buttons for time date setting.
One unique feature of this clock is the two rear legs are actually alarm
buttons. So when the alarm goes of, all you need to do is to tap the top of the
clock.
As mentioned earlier, it’s a color changing clock. Inside the
clock lies a series of light emitting diode (LED) which makes the clock glow. It’s
bright enough to display the details at the front LCD and yet it’s dim enough
for a night light. I’ve tested the color changing clock with four (4) AAA Energizer
batteries and it lasted 96 hours (continuous running). So, I’d recommend getting
rechargeables or a power adapter if you plan to let it glow 24 hours a day 7
days a week without blowing a hole in your wallet on batteries.
January 4, 2006
The second “First Day of School”
Semester reopens last week, but it feels as if it just
reopened today. All the class that I registered for (except for Integrated Pest
Management) went through the typical first day morning blues where the lecturer
tried to get things in order and try to warm up to the students. Rightfully speaking
it’s the students who are supposed to warm up and adjust to the courses
registered. That’s one week gone, two lecture periods wasted. Why am I worried?
That’s because there’s a long stretch of holidays coming up which will eat up
another two weeks and that’s excluding the customary study leave, a week before
the finals. What pushes the stress meter higher is that this is SUPPOSE to be
my final semester. I won’t be taking my 5th year, at least I hope
not.
January 3, 2006
Taking a razer to the wrist
This is one of the episodes where I show off my toys which I just recently purchase. And yes, you can stop cursing me for my well known scheme of deliberately giving misleading titles for my postings.
*drumming, curtain rolls*
I present to you, the Razer Copperhead.
Technical specifications:
2000 DPI Laser Engine Powered by Razer Precision™
1000 Hz Ultrapolling™ with 1 ms response time as compared with 125Hz/8 ms response time used by other conventional gaming mice
32KB Onboard Memory Powered by Razer Synapse™
7 independently programmable buttons optimized with Razer’s Hyperesponse™ technology for ultra tactile button feedback and maximum actions-per-minute (APM) game play
Zero-Acoustic Ultraslick™ Teflon feet
16 bit data path, as compared to 8 bit and 12 bit data paths used by other conventional mice
High speed motion detection, up to 45ips and 20g / Over 7080 frames per second
Always-On™ mode pioneered by Razer™ - the laser engine sensor never powers down to provide instantaneous response at all times during game play
Award winning Razer™ drivers featuring On-the-Fly Sensitivity™ DPI adjustment pioneered by Razer
Size: 5.04″ length x 2.5″ width x 1.54″ height
GlowPipe™ non-slip side rails
Ergonomic ambidextrous design
Ultra large non-slip rubber coated mouse buttons
Gold plated USB connector for maximum conductivity
7 foot, lightweight, non-tangle cord
Source: http://www.razerzone.com/products/products_copperhead.php
I was supposed to get a mouse for my PS2 for FPS games. While browsing for a decent 800dpi optical mouse, this sleek black mouse in an oversize box that can fit at least three mice stood out of the crowd. It’s the Razer Copperhead gaming mouse. I was a Razer fanatic during the Quake 3 era where the first gaming mouse was introduced by the first gaming mouse producer Razer. Sadly, at that time, I couldn’t afford one and all I can do was ogle at pictures of it in the internet. I thought that my desire of owning a Razer would water down due to the in availability of such product at our local stores plus, it’s been quite a while since Razer has came up with something new. It’s not until recently after the WCG2005 at Singapore, a Malaysian marshal was caught selling stolen sponsored Razer Copperhead at nearly retail price. My lust for Razer has returned. So, fast forward to present time, I forked out RM249 for this first edition gaming mouse.
Built for the white man
My first impression of the Copperhead is it’s BIG. Since I’m above average for typical Asians, I don’t find any difficulties operating this mouse, except for the occasional use of the scroll which I find it too far north for my convenience. Mind you that before switching to the Copperhead, I was using a generic mouse, half the size of the Copperhead. So, it takes some time to adjust to.
Big is best
The main left and right buttons are big. And unlike other big button mice that are only sensitive at the tip (near the cord), the Copperhead‘s large buttons are not for show. It really works no matter where you press it. At the center or near the base, it responds to every single click.
There are many more things I like about this mouse but I’m getting lazy so I’ll just cut it short. The only way to experience a Razer is to own one simply because after testing it, you won’t want to give it back.
I got 2 words, ” It Ownz”
