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All South Park Episodes Online For Free!!

southpark

I’m a huge South Park fan and recently the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, have release all the episodes of South Park online at South Park Studios.

Similar to other TV networks such as NBC that release some of TV show episodes online the South Park episodes are streamed through their website. So that means you’re forced to sit through short commericals during the show. I’ve watched a handful of episodes and the commericals are about 10-15 seconds long and appears about twice per episode. You barely notice them. The best part is the shows are uncensored and all the profanity are un-bleeped. 😀

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Contemplating a blog upgrade

This blog is about 3 years old and I think it serves its purpose quite well, but the code and design of this blog engine is getting stagnant and outdated compared to other blogs. Blogs are vunerable to spammer placing ads and links in the comment entries and there have been a few days were I spent a good amount of time removing and blocking them. So I’ve been looking at other alternatives for a few weeks now and one of the options that looks to be a winner is FlatPress. There are many other alternatives out there but I was looking for something that does not require seperate database like MSSQL or MYSQL. This blog script, Simple PHP Blog, and FlatPress uses a flat-file database meaning all the blog data is stored in a text file format. Flat-file DBs are great because it allows easy back up of your blog site. You can just zip your root directory and unzip it onto a another web server and you’re ready to go. A blog with a MYSQL backend database will require a backup of the database and the root web directory. And to move the site you have to make sure your new host allows you to have your down DB.So it can get a little complicated and tedious.

If the Simple PHP Blog team doesn’t make any huge updates by the time summer ends I have may have to switch to FlatPress.

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Vista x64 (part 2)

After fiddling around with the 64 bit version of Vista I found it to be very stable. Speed wise it’s just as fast as the 32 bit version. Fortunately the architecture of recent CPUs of Intel and AMD they’re able to process 32 and 64 bit code simultaneously. So having a 64 bit OS doesn’t mean you’re stuck using only 64 bit applications. After installing a 64 bit version of Vista you’ll see two ‘Program Files’ folder and one will be designated as ‘Program Files (x86)’. When installing your old 32 bit application they will be installed in the Program Files (x86) folder. This keeps your 32 and 64 bit application seperate.

Many of the usual programs worked fine. Office 2003 and 2007 worked without any problems along with Avg Anti-Virus Free, Winamp, WinRAR, PowerISO, VMware Workstation, and Pidgin. The only application I had any issues with are homebrew apps or compiled binary files (.exe). These applications would throw errors and would not execute. Some application can still work if you install a compatible framework in which the 32 bit application can run on. But for me it’s not a big problem because I run VMware Workstation. I can have a virtual 32 bit OS and run those application on that instead. Vista x64 comes with a host of native 64 bit application such as it’s games, Windows Media Player, and Internet Explorer. These native applications works right out of the box. At this time the 64 bit version of IE is limited because the lack of compatible plug-ins like Adobe Flash player aren’t available yet. So to get full internet browsing capabilities the 32 bit version of IE is still available.

Having Vista x64 on my work computer would be fine since most of my computing involve email, remote accessing, and running multiple VMs. But on my personal desktop I ran into some issues. My desktop system is also my media center. One of the big disappointments of the SP1 is that Vista’s Media Center remains unchanged since Vista’s initial release (more on this later). Vista x64’s Media Center is a native 64 bit application and its backbone runs on the 64 bit Windows Media Player. Many of my videos are encoded in different formats and it requires several different codecs to play. Unfortunately I can’t play any of my videos because 64 bit codecs aren’t available. The ones that are available are in beta stages and still doesn’t work.

When Vista was first released my number one reason to upgrade was to use the new Media Center. XP’s 2005 Media Center worked great, but there were many things it could have improved on, and I thought Vista was the answer. Too bad it was only wishful thinking. Vista’s Media Center’s interface is counter-intuitive compared to its predecessor. The media handling is done by Window Media Player. WMP is so limited that that the only type of videos it can play is mpg and wmv videos. It’s not much of a media player without third party codecs. So the 64 bit version of Vista media center is even more crippled than it’s 32 bit counterpart.

Overall there are more positive aspects of Vista x64 than there are negatives. If you have a recent CPU and chipset such as a Core 2 Duo and the Intel 965P the 64 bit OS is capable of addressing more than 4GB of RAM. This will benefit applications that require a large amount of memory. Video/Image editors and CAD users will greatly benefit from this. Overtime 64 bit applications will become more popular and in theory it should be more efficient and faster than their 32 bit versions. If you’re looking to jump into the 64 bit scene now is a good time to check it out. For some it can be used as their main OS on a daily basis. But before you switch make sure there are 64 bit drivers for all your hardware. Vista 64 bit OS requires signed drivers so if your hardware manufacturer does not have those drivers available your device(s) will not work.

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Vista x64

vistasp1

Last year when Vista was release to the masses I had already been using the Vista RTM version for a few months. I even wrote a little review about my experience. In short, the new OS was visually appealing but had too many things wrong with it such as bugs, incompatible software and not enough drivers were available. I ended up uninstalling Vista and reinstalled Windows XP and have not used it since except for when I’m troubleshooting a Vista system at work.

It’s been a little over a year, about 14 months, since Vista’s release. I got my hands on a copy of a Vista RTM with SP1. SP1 was the answer to all the nay-sayers who didn’t want to use Vista. Many online publications have already done benchmarking tests and SP1 was no faster than the orginal RTM release. In fact some showed SP1 as being slightly slower. I wanted to see the results for myself so I set up Vista w/SP1 on a couple of virtual systems on VMware. Using Vista on VMware probably didn’t provide much of a guage to show the difference with the new SP1, So I decided to install Vista Ultimate 64 bit version on my primary desktop system. Before formatting and reinstalling a new OS I always backup all my files and I download all the drivers needed for the new OS. I was a bit worried because I’ve never installed or used a 64 bit OS. I expected many things to go wrong with the installation.

I booted off the Vista RTM /w SP1 DVD and installed it. Everything went as normal as the regular Vista sans SP1. It took about 25-30 minutes for the entire install. I finish the installation and logged on to Vista with my username and password. The first thing I always check after I install a fresh copy of Windows is check the Device Manager. One of the most daunting task for installing Windows is finding yellow exclaimations and unknown devices listed in the Device Manager. That’s where downloading the needed drivers before the OS change can save you time and headaches. In this case after the installation there was only one yellow exclamation in the device manager and it was for my USB XBOX HD DVD drive. Running the Windows update fixed it and my Device Manager window was all clean. I was amazed it had drivers for my motherboard devices as well as my dual Hauppauge tuners.

The year between my first Vista install til now there has been a ton of hotfixes and driver updates. This Vista installation couldn’t be any easier. My next test will be evaluating my 32-bit applications and see how it run on this 64 bit Vista.

[To be continued…]

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What’s New?

I haven’t been blogging for a while except for the UFC picks post here and there. As usual I’ve been busy and at times lazy to log on and blog. So what’s new?

I managed to do my taxes earlier this year and got my refund check within two weeks. With my refund I went on a spending spree. My first purchase were some nice leather Harley Davidson gloves and an awesome matching Harley leather jacket. I have a sport bike jacket, but I didn’t think it’ll look right wearing black and yellow learthers on my Street Bob Harley. Unfortunately, I haven’t been riding much due to the weather, but now with my new jacket and warmer temperatures I’ll be adding some serious miles. I’ve been itching to get some new pipes. Anyone want to contribute to my Harley exhuast fund? 😀

Also, last week I purchased a new laptop. A Thinkpad T61p. I sold my Dell m1710 last year and was looking to purchase a Thinkpad for a while. If anyone one knows anything about laptops Thinkpads kick ass. Their rugged build and business-class focus make them a lasting investment even in a laptop market where technology seems to change every 6 months. Unlike other named branded laptops Thinkpads don’t aim for flashy colors and styles instead it sticks with its iconic color of a matte black for all its models. In addition to my laptop I purchased a case and even an extended battery. For the past few days I’ve been using my Thinkpad religiously; at work and at home. Comparing it to my Dell laptop assigned to me from my work this Thinkpad is very solidly built and it feels like it can stop bullet, figuratively speaking of course.

For the past few months I put off on my running and workouts. In early December I hurt my leg during a wrestling practice. I ended up having a hair line fracture in my ankle and torn tendons. I’m still recovering and I’m slowly getting back into my running. I don’t want to push too hard and re-injure it, so I’ve been running slow and building my speed up each week. So far it’s going well. I got one more doctor follow up to see whether I will need surgery because there is a little pain that hasn’t gone away yet. So that’s pretty much sums up my last few weeks here. It’s nothing exciting, at least not yet.

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UFC 82

ufc82

From the words of UFC’s iconic announcer Bruce Buffer, “It is time..!!!!” for UFC 82. Headlining the event is Anderson Silva defending his title against Dangerous Dan Henderson. Not only is this for the Middleweight title, but it’s for the unification of PrideFC’s Middleweight title that Henderson holds.

Dan Henderson is only fighter to hold two titles in two seperate division in PrideFC. Last year Henderson lost his Lightheavy weight title to UFC’s current Champ, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. And now Henderson is now fighting a fighter who is considered one of the top pound for pound fighter in the sports of mixed martial arts. It seems UFC is not giving Henderson a break at all. Henderson has his hands full with Silva. Silva has a superior and technical striking game whereas Henderson is a big slugger with KO power in each hand. So this contrast in styles will likely play in Silva’s hands as long as he doesn’t get caught with one of Henderson’s haymakers.

We’ve seen Silva’s great striking abilities, and his slick BJJ, and his clench game is second to none. But there’s one spot where Silva has not been put in yet. And that’s being pressed up against the cage and get worked by some dirty boxing or crowded in the corner against the fence getting pounded. The reason why we’ve never seen him in that situation is because Silva is smart and utilizes his footwork and to put himself in position to use his weapons. But if there’s one person who can force him against the cage and into a corner it would be Dan Henderson. Henderson is a pedigree wrestler, Greco-Roman that is. If Henderson can close the gap on Silva and get put his back against the fence it would neutralize Silva’s devastating knees, kicks, punches. But then it’s always easier said than done.

My pick is Silva. Silva has too many ways to win, and Henderson has nothing that Silva has never faced. Unless Henderson catches Silva with an over hand right that stuns or KO Silva it’s going to be another loss for him in the UFC.

My Picks:

Cheick Kongo via stoppage
Chris Leben via submission
Evan Tanner via decision
Jon Fitch via submission
Andrei Arlovski via KO
Luke Cummo via stoppage
Josh Koscheck via stoppage
Diego Sanchez via submission
Jorge Gurgel via decision

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UFC 81: Breaking Point

ufc81

I will be attending UFC 81 in person in Las Vegas this weekend. Incidentally it’s Superbowl weekend, so Vegas will be filled with sports betters and fight fans. Headlining the event are two fights; Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar and Tim Sylvia vs. Rodrigo Nogueira.

Ever since Frank Mir’s motorcycle accident he has not been himself in any of his last few fights. He’s 2 for 2 in his last four fights and those wins came from non-ranked fighters. Brock Lesnar is more famous for his Pro Wrestling days, and he only has one MMA fight under his belt. We have yet to see his talent as a fighter. On paper Frank Mir is a sure win against the Pro Wrestling juggernaut. But don’t count Lesnar out too quickly. Lesnar is a four-time all american collegiate wrestler. So with a solid wrestling background and a mountain of muscle it’s going to give Mir a tough time in the cage.

UFC’s Heavyweight division is so thin that about half of Syliva’s fights are either for the number 1 contender spot or a title shot. It’s kind of ridiculous. Hopefully Lesnar can shuffle the division up a bit. The Sylvia/Nog fight is a fight I’m looking forward to watch. Sylvia likes to stand and box and Nog has one of the slickest ground game in the heavyweight division, but he is not afraid to stand toe to toe, but we’re going to have to wait and see what kind of gameplay Nog will bring to the cage

My picks:

-Headliners-
I see Brock Lesnar beating Mir via ref stoppage. Mir is going to have a hard time controlling Lesnar’s strength. The only way Mir can win is to get a quick submission or somehow tire Lesnar out and put him in a choke.

Sylvia will beat Nog by decision. Nog doesn’t have the cage experience on the level of Sylvia. Nog will try to stand, but he will be flustered by Syliva’s longer reach. Even though Nog has faced tougher competition those epic battles have put so much wear and tear on his body that if he wants to beat Syliva he as to come in the cage with a game plan that Sylvia has never faced.

-Undercards-
Nate Marquardt beats Jeremy Horn
Ricardo Almieda beats Rob Yundt
Tyson Griffin beats Gleison Tibau
Chris Lytle beats Kyle Bradley
Terry Martin beats Marvin Eastman
David Heath beats Tim Boetsch
Keita Nakamura beats Rob Emerson

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Cloverfield

cloverfield

With its viral marketing in full force and several teaser trailers hitting the theaters since Summer Cloverfield is a must-see movie of the new year. The movie starts off with a message stating the following video as top-secret. The video follows a group of individuals during an attack on Manhattan by a mysterious giant monster. The film is shot in the style of a home-made camcorder, similar to the Blair-witch Project. If you’re easily susceptible to motion sickness then you might want to avoid this movie. The constant moving and shaking of the camera caused my eyes to get tired at times.

Cloverfield is moreso the name of the classified military project or incident of the attack on Manhattan than the name of anything particular. The movie builds up steadily, but gets nowhere with no actual climax. The story ends abruptly leaving you unsatisfied. I’m sure there is going to be a sequel or prequel seeing how this movie ended. Overall, Cloverfield is an interesting ‘monster’ movie. Actually, its more of a movie about humanity with a giant creature running around the city.

Rating: ★★★★★★½☆☆☆

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Good Bye 2007, Hello 2008

2007 was a great year; I got a new job, moved into a new place, and my favorite sport, MMA, is getting more exciting each month. Unfortunately my picks for the last UFC event was horrible, but nonetheless it was a great event.

2008 should be a great year if not better. The number 8 in the Chinese culture is considered to be lucky, the number’s pronunciation sounds like the word “prosper” in their language. The upcoming new year will bring us the Olympics which takes place in Beijing, China. And 2008 will also bring us a new President.

This new year is also a time where people start anew. Like for their New Year’s resolution, for some it’ll be a hard and difficult goal, for others it’ll never come to materialize.

Have fun partying and celebrate the New Year in stunning fashion.

Happy New Year!