Category: Internet & Technology

Fond and Retrogaming with the C64 Enthusiasts Club, an Interview with Kevin Casteels

Kevin Casteels leads the Commodore 64 Enthusiasts of Victoria, BC and he’s taken over most of the chores in a society once headed by Steve Carpenter and Andrew Anderson since moving to this garden city.

C64 Reloaded
The C64 “reloaded” to sport more than just a translucent case.

Back in 2011, the Commodore 64 (C64) was to make a comeback with modern parts while sporting a retro look. While the 64x briefly sold, interest by other companies deciding to use the Commodore name was still wrought with problems.

The original operation died in 1994 and other businesses got the patents to continue the legacy with varying levels of success. Commodore USA was a rebranded Florida firm and they fell to hard times after its founder, Barry Altman, passed away in 2012 — the enterprise ultimately folded. A UK version of the brand is focussing on a smartphone. Fortunately, interest for the original machine remains alive in the form of clubs.

These societies have emerged since this device’s original inception in 1982 and a few are remaining strong — like the Toronto PET Users Group. While these types of groups do not number in the hundred like Macintosh or PC clubs, the love is very clear. Kevin Casteels leads the Commodore 64 Enthusiasts of Victoria, BC and he’s taken over most of the chores in a society once headed by Steve Carpenter and Andrew Anderson since moving to this garden city.

This club is still relatively young. It’s existed as a Facebook entity for over two years, and open meetings started early in the year at venues like Lucky Bar for retro video gaming parties and at Cavity Curiosity Shop for other fun. Their first meeting was held May 13, 2015.

Continue reading “Fond and Retrogaming with the C64 Enthusiasts Club, an Interview with Kevin Casteels”

Google Play Offers Free Comics!

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

google-play-logo1

Google Play is an online store where people can buy software, music and books to read on their mobile devices (mostly Android) and today they are celebrating how their Play Books application have become comic-book interface friendly. New features include a vertical scrolling experience in landscape mode, and a curated series webpage to make searching for favourite titles easier. These features are nothing new when compared to standalone readers like iComics on iOS, but its a step closer to not having a mobile device bloated with tons of software.

To get people embracing this new distribution method, the company is offering several free comics. These first issues are only teasers of what’s to come. To name a few, titles include: Batman, The Walking Dead, Star Wars Previews, Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, Orphan Black, The X-Files, Jem and the Holograms, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. A huge selection of manga is offered, making this announcement very notable amongst the gang here at Otakunoculture. A full list can be found here.

[Electric Bungalow] Sleeping Soundly with Acoustic Sheep’s Bedphones

SP-Wireless228x120

Acoustic Sheep’s SleepPhone is a very comfortable pair of headphones that is multipurpose. For folks who like falling asleep to the soothing sound of music, it will not disturb the neighbours when the music player is at half volume. That is, when I’m sharing a hotel room with someone who prefers silence over leaving a radio on, this item does the job. For spaces like in college/university dorm-rooms where there’s always noise going on, this piece of essential gear can help filter out low-level sounds but not high-level chatter (or snoring bunk mates).

Continue reading “[Electric Bungalow] Sleeping Soundly with Acoustic Sheep’s Bedphones”

[Electric Bungalow] To 3D or Not to Feel Apple’s 3D, That’s the Question

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

iphone-6s-quick-actions-100613495-gallery

Sorry Apple, but I’m not impressed with 3D Touch. By the wording alone, I’m thinking that there are sensors in the new iPhone 6s that can read bio-electric signature from a finger and measure the changes in milligauss when the fingertip connects to the screen. The further away the finger is from the surface, items can be lifted up to hover on a virtual desktop and by pushing in or double tapping, programs can be either activated or its internal content explored. That kind of holographic interface is one I will heartily welcome. But because a tactile need to feel a surface is still required by most people to navigate a smartphone, I don’t think a true 3D interface will emerge until the next decade. Your labelling of what this new feature is about is a misnomer.

How the technology works is nicely explained on Cnet and it’s basically the reverse idea of what I said.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PUmbVPNN8E%5D
 

As a few comments suggested, the idea has been around and implemented earlier on Android devices. I don’t see the 3D exciting since it does not offer the sensation of navigating a true three-dimensional space.

In comparison to several devices I own with touchscreens, one thing I have to note is that not all devices use the same kind of technology. Capacitive screens measure the force (the electrical resistance) of an object pressed against it and resistive screens locate the coordinates of where an object is causing two layers of conductive material (laid out in a grid pattern) to meet. Other technologies like sound and infrared laser exist but I don’t think they are used on tablets. To make capacitive screens even more complex, there are two types. On a few devices I use, I can sometimes feel the active magnetic resistance of the screen on my finger. I’ve often wondered if this can be exploited to provide sensations of a 3D surface so buttons, dials or wheel can be virtually created.

Now that’s true 3D because in a world where people depend on three of five senses to engage in this space just what the iPhone (or any other device) offers is hardly a taste of augmented integration.

How to Buy Noise Cancelling Headphones for the Budget Conscious

Ed

Finding a good set of noise cancelling headphones can be tough. Quite often, you do get what you pay for and I’ve gone though a lot of these over the past 15 years. I found that I’m always upgrading every two or three years. I tried plenty, ranging from ear buds, in-the-ear, over the ear and the like. That list includes Princess Leia style mufflers! But to find that what’s suitable is never ever perfect. There’s even days I feel like a Cyberman because of what I put over my head.

To nail that right pair of speakers to strap on to the sides of my ears or anyone else’s really depends on the shape of each individual’s ears and in how that person perceives sound more so than the latest fashion trends. Yes, I admit it, I still love my TRON inspired KOSS Porta-Pro. The foam needs replacing but for the rest, it has yet to die on me even though my much beloved V-Moda for my iPod Mini (still the best engineered sounding player in my opinion) from 2004 have long since disappeared.

Continue reading “How to Buy Noise Cancelling Headphones for the Budget Conscious”

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Gamdias Powers Forth with PC Products

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Gamdias-logo1Gamdias is moreorless a new player in the North American third-party PC accessories scene. The Taiwanese company was founded in 2012, where its products (designer mice, mouse pads and keyboards) were first made available to Asia before branching out to a world-wide market. Had their products been made available for use in a wider spectrum, like for artists (with their mats) and Xbox/ Playstation compatibility (with their headsets), then this company might get a following.

For example, game enthusiasts may well enjoy using this company’s products while playing games like God of War or Halo. With this company’s product line taking their name from the gods of this Mediterranean culture, there’s no denying that there is a coolness factor for fans of classic mythology to take note of.

Continue reading “Gamdias Powers Forth with PC Products”

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com