I'm just throwing this out there... maybe someone will read this and it will ring a bell with them. But I for one have never encountered as many problems as my parents have on my own system.
My folks are running WinXP (of questionable origins that neither myself nor WGA will attest to *ahem*). And they are pretty computer illiterate so I can only assume that from time to time they will allow the auto-update to function.
All I know is that at one point, after grabbing a bunch of updates and attempting to reboot, I got a "Windows cannot boot because the following file is missing" (and I'm just paraphrasing because it was at least a few months ago)... and IIRC, the file in question was some DLL or something (a config.-something). Well, anyway, it prompted me at the time to foolishly run out and buy them a new harddrive and in the process accidentally destroying any backups they had of... well, everything... I won't get into that now.
So anyway, the last time I debugged it I got it down as far as a bad PSU (which thanks to a co-worker buddy who had an old derelict lying around, I got to replace for free). And then the following morning I narrowed the problem still further to faulty RAM (at least I suspect it of being faulty because as soon as I pulled it, the system booted without any further problems).
Now we're about a month since the last time I looked at that damn thing... and it's got that "missing file" problem again. And since it's Thursday, I'm assuming that some time earlier today, WinXP attempted to update itself and something (again) corrupted the system files.
And since I'm no tech support specialist, I can't really talk my technically-challenged parents through running the Windows setup... In fact, I'm kind of toying with the idea of buying a new PC (for myself) and giving away the one I'm typing this on right now to them. Because really, in its 7 year history, this PC has never had any of the problems they've had with theirs.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Reaction: Doctor Strange OVA
Marvel digs into its second-tier cast for their latest Lions Gate animated production. I don't know much about Doctor Strange other than that he is the Sorcerer Supreme and that he fights a demon called Dormammu... and that Stephen Strange is a former surgeon who stumbled on the mystic arts when he couldn't practice anymore... and he trained under "The Ancient One." Oh alright, maybe I knew a bit more than I thought.The Doctor Strange movie is basically retelling the origins of that mythos in the Marvel Universe. Marvel has decided to populate it this little corner of their universe with a secret society of magic users. It's actually pretty cool that there are just enough character moments that you think there's more to them than being token casualties to die in the line of duty (and for plot purposes).
In fact, if I remember my comics lore correctly, the movie actually fleshes out the tale and tackles why Strange comes off as a jerk. We are introduced via flashbacks to Strange's personal history. He was once a caring happy young man and a personal loss drove him to learn all he could about neuro-surgery. He's also surrounded by a cast of characters who, despite his rough treatment of them, seem to care about him. Fate, however, would lead him away from medicine and into mysticism. Strange must deal with classic themes such as jealousy, betrayal, self-discovery... I might argue that as far as one-shot stories go, this was the best remakes Marvel had put up yet.
I think the Marvel Animation team has been gradually improving since their first outing. Clocking in at 95 minutes, it stretches a little bit more than Iron Man did, but it felt just right thanks to perfect pacing. It hits the ground running and doesn't stop until Doctor Strange's ascension to the position of Master of the Mystic Arts.
Marvel and Lions Gate give us that same glossy metallic slip-cover again just like Iron Man. The only thing that bugged me was having a completely irrelevant sidebar in the bottom-left corner. The disc does contain a new documentary looking back at the origins of the character. But the best part was a montage of concept art overdubbed with snippets of music and dialog from the finished film. And if you were smart enough to grab your copy from Wal-mart, the package also included a digital comic about the Marvel Illuminati. That cost a whole 70 cents more than if I'd gotten it elsewhere.
Get it now.
Noodle Review: Sapporo Ichiban "Beef"
It's been quite a while since I last did an instant ramen review.
Today we're looking at a Sapporo Ichiban. I first need to admit that I've been so stubbornly loyal to Nissin's "Take-Out" brand that that the only reason I bought a case of "Sapporo Best" was because the local market didn't have any of the Nissin "beef" flavour stuff. You know, it turns out to be not-so bad.
The immediate thing to let go of is the plainly English lettering on the front. I've seen Sapporo Ichiban in western grocery stores as well as the local Asian market. So I developed a habit of turning up my nose at it thinking it was some kind of inferior westernized product cheaply made to cater to western taste.
Actually, the packaging is kind of ugly, if you ask me.
Opening the package reveals something very interesting however: really authentic looking dried ramen. A note about cooking instructions on the back... It says to boil it for 3 minutes as opposed to the Nissin recommendation of 5 minutes. Not sure if that is why, but the noodle ends up a big more chewy than the Nissin stuff.
So this is what it looks like. I am all turned around on this Sapporo Ichiban stuff. It costs about the same as the Nissin brand stuff but the noodle is way better. While the soup is nothing to write home about, the ramen noodle has great texture (feels a bit like chewing on an al-dente spaghetti). I doubt I'll be going back to Nissin for my beef-flavoured instant ramen. I am giving it my Thumbs-Up!
Today we're looking at a Sapporo Ichiban. I first need to admit that I've been so stubbornly loyal to Nissin's "Take-Out" brand that that the only reason I bought a case of "Sapporo Best" was because the local market didn't have any of the Nissin "beef" flavour stuff. You know, it turns out to be not-so bad.
The immediate thing to let go of is the plainly English lettering on the front. I've seen Sapporo Ichiban in western grocery stores as well as the local Asian market. So I developed a habit of turning up my nose at it thinking it was some kind of inferior westernized product cheaply made to cater to western taste.Actually, the packaging is kind of ugly, if you ask me.
Opening the package reveals something very interesting however: really authentic looking dried ramen. A note about cooking instructions on the back... It says to boil it for 3 minutes as opposed to the Nissin recommendation of 5 minutes. Not sure if that is why, but the noodle ends up a big more chewy than the Nissin stuff.
So this is what it looks like. I am all turned around on this Sapporo Ichiban stuff. It costs about the same as the Nissin brand stuff but the noodle is way better. While the soup is nothing to write home about, the ramen noodle has great texture (feels a bit like chewing on an al-dente spaghetti). I doubt I'll be going back to Nissin for my beef-flavoured instant ramen. I am giving it my Thumbs-Up!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
DC Direct - Justice League of America
Labels:
stuff
Not one to pass on a chance to squeeze us fan-boys for a few more bucks, DC has commissioned yet another line of their action figures this time based on the hit "Tornado's Path" relaunch of the Justice League of America (takes place after the latest Crisis and One Year Later business when the Big Three resurface from hiding).
I was saying elsewhere that I don't normally collect domestic stuff (it's just not the same aesthetic as the Asian goodies). But well, I was tempted. Plus, they have a Black Canary who looks half-decent this time around (I prefer her Birds of Prey/Identity Crisis look when she wore her hair up, but really, the figures that came at the time looked like crap to me).
Actually, what really drove me to post today was that I was so pleased with my little repair job. See, Black Canary's fishnets are obviously not real stockings... Unfortunately on my sample, the net material wasn't secured into her boot cuff to maintain the illusion of fishnets. I had to do a little knife-work to pry open the gap a bit and gently hide the ends of the nets into the seam in her leg. While I was at it, I also shifted the entire piece of net a little in order to better hide the seam in the net that runs along the length of her leg.
As for Superman... well... not much to say. I'm just happy he looks a little younger (ageless) than the previous action figure I own. The last time got a Superman, the mullet was still popular on the character ...perhaps the least handsome interpretation of the Last Son of Krypton, I must say. The cape is also interesting - it's a molded rubber affair and features a very nicely stenciled "S" insignia on the back.
I was saying elsewhere that I don't normally collect domestic stuff (it's just not the same aesthetic as the Asian goodies). But well, I was tempted. Plus, they have a Black Canary who looks half-decent this time around (I prefer her Birds of Prey/Identity Crisis look when she wore her hair up, but really, the figures that came at the time looked like crap to me).
Actually, what really drove me to post today was that I was so pleased with my little repair job. See, Black Canary's fishnets are obviously not real stockings... Unfortunately on my sample, the net material wasn't secured into her boot cuff to maintain the illusion of fishnets. I had to do a little knife-work to pry open the gap a bit and gently hide the ends of the nets into the seam in her leg. While I was at it, I also shifted the entire piece of net a little in order to better hide the seam in the net that runs along the length of her leg.As for Superman... well... not much to say. I'm just happy he looks a little younger (ageless) than the previous action figure I own. The last time got a Superman, the mullet was still popular on the character ...perhaps the least handsome interpretation of the Last Son of Krypton, I must say. The cape is also interesting - it's a molded rubber affair and features a very nicely stenciled "S" insignia on the back.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Reaction: Babylon 5 The Lost Tales
It's a love letter to the fans. But not quite the Serenity of B5. The first "OVA" B5: The Lost Tales anthology came with fanfare all over geekdom... but little recognition elsewhere. I'm actually having trouble finding it around town and resorted to getting it via Amazon.
I liken it to anime "OVA" because really, it's all-new material available direct-to-video and is a testament to the power of fan outcry and the success of the franchise. B5 has been off the air for a decade, and for the awesome support shown through sales of the DVDs, it's a rare case of a show which was always on the verge of cancellation making such a return.
Now I've purposefully stayed away from other reviews because I want to avoid two things: spoilers (because I knew I'd be watching it myself soon) and colouring my own review of the matter. So let's get started.
The far future of the B5 universe is mapped out. We've seen hints of it before during the series. We know that Sheridan eventually dies. We know the station eventually is destroyed. What we don't know are the moments in between. Those moments are ripe for harvesting stories out of. "Voices in the Dark" is a collection of two stories set simultaneously roughly a decade after the conclusion of the TV series.
In first segment the DVD tackles what might have happened to religion in the far-flung future. Colonel Elizabeth Lochley has sent for an Earth priest (a Christian variety from his appearance) because she's encountered a phenomenon she cannot explain but to accept at face value that this is a case of demonic possession. It's a fairly straight forward ghost-story and essentially sets the tone for the project. The camera is close-in on Lochley and less is more.
In second segment we have President John Sheridan dealing with a moral dilemma. Galen the Technomage appears to him and tells him that trouble is brewing and he can stop it all if he'd only murder an innocent young Centari prince. Things all fall into place right up to the perfect opportunity for assassination. Again, there is a lot of teasing with quick shots of the President's cruiser but the camera keeps following Sheridan around. We're given a small 30-second clip of an epic space battle but not much else.
Overall, it's one of those oddities in the universe. This DVD certainly stands on its own merits: it's two stories that do not over-reach themselves and give the audience a taste of what else the B5 universe had to offer us. But on the other hand, it'd be shame if this becomes a failure because it works on the proof-of-concept level. A whole bunch of short 35-minute episodes would be a fantastic addition to the B5 world.
As for the DVD presentation, this is why I call it a love letter to the fans. The disc is full of behind-the-scenes goodies, interviews with the stars, tours of the set, and the best part - memorial presentions for the late (great) Richard Biggs and Andreas Katsulas. In fact, that further reminds me - my absolute favourite "nice touch" - a voiceover from G'kar for the openning introduction to this film. Like I was saying, a love letter for all of us.
I liken it to anime "OVA" because really, it's all-new material available direct-to-video and is a testament to the power of fan outcry and the success of the franchise. B5 has been off the air for a decade, and for the awesome support shown through sales of the DVDs, it's a rare case of a show which was always on the verge of cancellation making such a return.
Now I've purposefully stayed away from other reviews because I want to avoid two things: spoilers (because I knew I'd be watching it myself soon) and colouring my own review of the matter. So let's get started.
The far future of the B5 universe is mapped out. We've seen hints of it before during the series. We know that Sheridan eventually dies. We know the station eventually is destroyed. What we don't know are the moments in between. Those moments are ripe for harvesting stories out of. "Voices in the Dark" is a collection of two stories set simultaneously roughly a decade after the conclusion of the TV series.
In first segment the DVD tackles what might have happened to religion in the far-flung future. Colonel Elizabeth Lochley has sent for an Earth priest (a Christian variety from his appearance) because she's encountered a phenomenon she cannot explain but to accept at face value that this is a case of demonic possession. It's a fairly straight forward ghost-story and essentially sets the tone for the project. The camera is close-in on Lochley and less is more.
In second segment we have President John Sheridan dealing with a moral dilemma. Galen the Technomage appears to him and tells him that trouble is brewing and he can stop it all if he'd only murder an innocent young Centari prince. Things all fall into place right up to the perfect opportunity for assassination. Again, there is a lot of teasing with quick shots of the President's cruiser but the camera keeps following Sheridan around. We're given a small 30-second clip of an epic space battle but not much else.
Overall, it's one of those oddities in the universe. This DVD certainly stands on its own merits: it's two stories that do not over-reach themselves and give the audience a taste of what else the B5 universe had to offer us. But on the other hand, it'd be shame if this becomes a failure because it works on the proof-of-concept level. A whole bunch of short 35-minute episodes would be a fantastic addition to the B5 world.
As for the DVD presentation, this is why I call it a love letter to the fans. The disc is full of behind-the-scenes goodies, interviews with the stars, tours of the set, and the best part - memorial presentions for the late (great) Richard Biggs and Andreas Katsulas. In fact, that further reminds me - my absolute favourite "nice touch" - a voiceover from G'kar for the openning introduction to this film. Like I was saying, a love letter for all of us.
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