2010 August - SeanPAune.com

4
Aug
2010

It’s True … I Finally Own A Mac

Written by Sean P Aune | under Computers, Technology | 3 Comments

Yes, that disturbance you felt in the force was true … I bought a Mac. A 27-inch iMac to be precise.

This is something I have wanted to do for years, but I never really had a “need” for such a system, it was always just a “want”. With the amount of media I’m producing now, and with a lot more to come, I finally felt like I needed the editing power of a Mac. With the refresh of the iMac line last week, I jumped on it, and here I am … staring into the face of an enormous 27-inch screen. (seriously, this is almost too much screen!)

I’ve been playing with it for several hours now, teaching myself to do various things, and I have to say I finally enabled right clicking on the mouse, I just couldn’t take it any longer. I have been right-clicking on things for so many years that I just don’t know what to do without it at this point.

Of course I am not fully switching away from the Windows platform, quite the contrary actually. I may go days without turning on this Mac as it was bought for specific jobs, but it’s here when I need it.

Overall it’s not a horrible experience, although it’s taking some getting used to not having programs fill the entire screen most of the time … and learning how to save a file to where I wanted it to go took some learning. Once you get those things down though, it’s pretty quick. Now … learning the “new” keyboard shortcuts may take a bit of time …

(yes, this post done entirely on the iMac … a first for me.)

3
Aug
2010

The Braindead Techcast Ep. 117: Someone pass the asprin it’s a Moronic Monday hang-over

Written by Sean P Aune | under Braindead Techcast, Podcasting | No Comments

Normally Moronic Monday is the only day filled with stupid stories, but so many happened today that it felt like a hangover …

(Links by Steven for some of the stories we discuss in this episode)

BREAKING: New Blackberry features a working phone. – The Inquisitr
Rdio hits the US and Canada – slick but bargain bin time – The Inquisitr
Motorola and Verizon team up for TV tablet – Financial Times
F.B.I., Challenging Use of Seal, Gets Back a Primer on the Law – New York Times
Google Earth Used To Fine People With Pools, Again – TechCrunch
FOIA Denial All But Confirms FTC Probe of Apple’s Anti-Adobe Rules – Epicenter

Braindead TechCast Episode #117

3
Aug
2010

Transformers 3: Revenge Of The Cash Register

Written by Sean P Aune | under Movies, Toys | 1 Comment

While I have hated both Transformers movies, I have appreciated what they have done for the toy line. I may be 39, but I still have a deep love of toys, and I collect those that interest me.

All that being said, all of the pictures popping up from the filming Chicago seem to indicate that we are about to hit with an onslaught of toys unlike anything we’ve seen before in the Transformers universe, and I sadly think characters are being dropped into the movie at this point strictly to up the toy count.

No, this isn’t some great revelation, and it is certainly not unprecedented, but the number of new Autobots showing up in Chicago is verging on the insane. And while only two brand new Decepticons are known for sure at this point, that is mainly because their vehicle modes aren’t conducive to being seen on set. However, here is a list of what has been seen thus far:

(List updated on 8/5/10 with the removal of “Rollbar” as it turned out to be a fan prank, and the addition of Wheelie)

The Autobots in Transformers 3

Optimus Prime – same basic truck, new trailer = new toy
Bumblebee – New version of the same car (2011 Chevy Camaro) = new toy
Bumblebee (1970′s Datsun form) – The character of Sam has been seen with a 1970′s Datsun that has the same paint job as Bumblebee leading us to believe he hides in a new form for part of the movie. New toy.
“Einstein” – Character confirmed, but placeholder name. Blue 2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 = new toy
Ironhide – No changes
Mudflap – 2011 Chevy Sparks, new paint job = new toy
Ratchet – Same H2 Hummer mode, all new paint job = new toy
Sideswipe – Same Corvette Stingray concept car, except now a convertible … yep … new toy.
Skids – 2011 Chevy Sparks, new paint job = new toy
Wheelie – Return of the RC truck.
Blue NASCAR – We now know the three NASCAR cars are an Autobot commando team called The Wreckers, all three are sure to get toys.
Green NASCAR
Red NASCAR
Unknown – Ferrari 458 Italia = new toy
Unknown – Rosenbaurer Panther airline fire truck

The Decepticons in Transformers 3

Megatron – Unknown vehicle/alt mode
Shockwave – Unknown vehicle/alt mode, but definite new toy as he’s a new character
Soundwave – Unknown vehicle/alt mode
Unknown - Chevy Tahoe = new toy
Unknown – Armored truck = new toy

The thing is, we have no clue how big a role any of the new characters play, but they are sure to get toys. Two of the worst instances of this in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was a Decepticon named Sideways who was in the film merely to be killed off by Sideswipe in the opening minutes, and the other was an Autobot named Jolt who was seen in the background of I believe two scenes. Not only did he get one toy, but he got two.

Of course nothing says you are required to buy every movie related toy that comes out, and I don’t, but there are completists out there, and I feel like they are about to be taken for a huge ride. There is no way the Decepticon list is complete yet (We’re assuming Starscream is in the movie, but nothing has been seen on set yet to confirm this), so who knows how many more that will add to the roster.

Here’s an idea for Michael Bay: Try making the best movie you can, and not just a two hour commercial for a whole new line of toys. Did Ratchet really need a new paint job? You can count the number of lines this character has said in both movies on two hands. Did Skids and Mudflap, who most people hated in the last movie, even need to be included? (Bay has denied they’re in the movie, but the cars have been spotted on set multiple times)

Start saving your pennies everyone, the series is going out with a bang.

2
Aug
2010

The Braindead Techcast Ep. 116: Moronic Monday’s takes up taxidermy

Written by Sean P Aune | under Braindead Techcast, Podcasting | No Comments

Moronic Monday is … wow this week. And we have two audience submissions!

(Links by Steven for some of the stories we discuss in this episode)

Holycrapawesome: China planning giant buses that cars can drive under – The Inquisitr
USB Mail Box alerts you to deliveries - SlipperyBrick
The “Popcorn Hand” lets you eat popcorn, protects your fingers from getting greasy (video) – CrunchGear
Disturbing: Piggy Banks Made with Real Pigs – Geek O System
Street Fighter Condoms [Pic] – Geeks are Sexy
What? A Waterproof Power Strip? – Geeks Are Sexy

And our listener contributions (thank you Jonathan)

Nigerians Finally Decide To “Reimburse” The Victims Of Scam – MakeUseOf
Woman Watches As Dell Techs Remotely Download Nude Pics Of Her – Jezebel

And the bonus link I promised in the show : Mossberg smacks down MG Siegler with sexy fists of fury from WinExtra

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2
Aug
2010

Let Me In Trailer

Written by Sean P Aune | under Movies | 2 Comments

Vampires, vampires, vampires. Will the craze over them ever end? Doubtful.

The newest entry in the genre is Let Me In, a remake of a Swedish book and film entitled Let The Right One In. It’s the story of a 12-year-old boy who ends up befriending a young girl that moved in next door to him along with her guardian. It just so happens she is a vampire. (not sure about the guy who lives with her)

It appears the story deals with what it would be like to be a child vampire, an angle that has been touched on in the film Near Dark and the book/film Interview With A Vampire. Doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be visited again, but it isn’t exactly new territory.

To me, the thing that immediately caught my eye is it stars Chloe Moretz who turned in the brilliant role of Hit Girl in Kick-Ass. (which, surprisingly, looks like it will be getting a sequel!) Just gauging things by the trailer, she looks like she is definitely going to be an actress to watch in the coming years.

Let Me In hits theaters Oct. 1st.

1
Aug
2010

Shark Week Is Lost On Me

Written by Sean P Aune | under TV | No Comments

Once again Shark Week is upon us … I know this because it seems it is all anyone can talk about.

Shark Week 2010 marks the 23rd year for this week of shark related specials on The Discovery Channel, and I can’t say I’ve ever watched a minute of it. I might have, I’m not sure, it just doesn’t stand out in my mind.

While I get that everyone has their own television tastes, I’ve never gotten this rabid fervor for this week long event that people exhibit. Yes, sharks are really cool, but every year when this week rolls around, people go nuts on the Internet about this, and now with Twitter in the mix, it seems that you just can’t escape it.

They’re even debuting six new specials this year. Has something radically changed in the world of sharks that hasn’t been covered in the past 22 years of specials that I am unaware of? Did they discover the ability to fly? Do they now come up on land to hunt?

Is this a sporting event? It sure feels like the way people talk about the Super Bowl or the World Cup. It’s sharks folks … they don’t really change … they have lots of teeth.

I’m serious, someone explain the Shark Week love to me, because I’m totally lost on this one.