The Caffeinated Penguin

Posted By matt on January 28, 2005

One of the side effects of working from home and having a TiVo is that you see a lot of commercials (because you tend to just let it run while you're working). Of course, when watching this much TV (mostly SciFi, History Channel, and SpikeTV), you realize that every third commercial is the Enzyte commercial; “for natural male enhancement”. It's just starting to get a little old, folks.

• I ordered my Mac Mini today. 80GB HDD, SuperDrive, Bluetooth + AirPort, 512MB RAM upgrade. I ordered it from MacMall, because they're running special rebates (free Keyboard and Mouse, headphones, and $$ off an Epson all-in-one, which is for Liz). So, now I'll be able to figure out how to make Macs and Linux machines talk nicely to each other. My goal is to do full Rendezvous support, some type of file sharing (SMB or NFS, haven't decided yet) and basically, lots of happy integration. For the curious, this Mac will not be running Linux. If it was a laptop it would (because it would be my primary machine), but the screen resolution still isn't there, so I'm not buying Mac laptops. Ergo, this is merely an auxiliary testing machine, and therefore will only run one OS.
• Of course, the Mac Mini begs the question: how do I integrate it into my systems? Well, I have a KVM, but it's a PS/2 KVM. The Mac Mini (as well as many other machines) is coming only as USB. Now, I could buy one of these dual interface (PS/2 or USB) KVM switches. The catch is that the KVM is about $400, and then each cable is $30 or so (and there are 8). This is expensive. A cheaper route is the intelligent KVM cable. It plugs into a PS/2 KVM and into a USB Computer. Now, I was skeptical – I wasn't sure it would work. But, I bought one, and it's working just fine. So, I'll pick up an 8 port PS/2 KVM (which can be had for about $150) plus 3 more of those cables (which are $25 each from NewEgg.com.
• I've been diddling around with XUL and FireFox extensions. I'm fairly impressed. It's a nice UI language, and JavaScript is so close to C and/or Perl that I feel right at home (for those who don't know, the XUL (XML User Interface Language) files determine form and a JavaScript file (or JavaScript embedded in the XUL).
• I am also going to be ripping old VHS home movies to DVD. Strangely enough, I don't plan on using the Mac for this (though if I find that the open source tools don't work, it is my fallback). However, I'll keep people appraised of what I use and how it works.
• I've started reading Alton Brown's Blog: Rants and Raves. I like Alton; he does my kind of cooking show.
• So, I sent an email to Games Workshop asking about rules in the new codex. Email thread follows (my response is first):
  

  That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. This is a TECHNICAL question, which may require RESEARCH. Ergo, the written word is the correct form of correspondance for this question. I am not going to sit on the phone waiting for it to be looked up.

  Be advised that I will be publically reporting this policy and incident via weblog, under the heading of “Why GW is lame”.

  US Customer Service wrote:

  >
  > Dear Customer,
  >
  > While we appreciate your taking the time to write to us, we can no
  > longer answer rules questions via email. Please call us at
  > 1-800-394-4263 and we will gladly help you work your way through your
  > query.
  > If you have any more questions, comments, or concerns please feel free
  > to drop us a line or call us at (800) 394-GAME!
  >
  > Thanks!
  >
  > Lance
  > Games Workshop -Call Center Manager
  > Games Workshop USA Direct Services 6721 Baymeadow Drive
  > Glen Burnie, MD 21060-6401
  >
  > We take care of all of your GW related needs: orders, questions &
  > concerns. Hours of operation: 10AM to 9PM (EST) seven days a week.
  > Call us at 1-800-394-4263
  > Check us out on the Web: http://us.games-workshop.com/
  >
  > (No roolzboyz judgement is official until it is printed in Chapter
  > Approved)
  >
  > UK Direct Services: 011-441-1591-40000
  > Canadian Direct Services: 1-888-GW-TROLL
  > “Now only the most dedicated, or insane, will follow him, but this is of
  > no consequence to Kharn, who lives only to slay in the Blood God's
  > name.”
  >
  >
  >> —–Original Message—–
  >> From: Matthew Caron matt@mattcaron.net Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 6:35 PM
  >> To: US Customer Service
  >> Subject: Space Marine Codex: Rules Question
  >>
  >> On p. 30, The Terminator Command squad entry lists the “Teleport” special ability. However, the
  >> command squad may only be taken when attached to an independent character. The
  >> independent character does not have this ability, even if the character has Terminator Armor.
  >> The Terminator Armor rules (p.25, Space Marine Codex”) state that any model wearing terminator
  >> armor can be teleported onto the battlefield and set up using the Deep Strike rules, but only if
  >> the mission allows it. So, what is right?
  >> 1.) The terminator armor entry is wrong and all units can teleport in, regardless if Deep Strike can
  >> be used or not.
  >> 2.) The terminator command squad entry is wrong and shouldn't have a teleport entry.
  >>3.) Something else?

  It's like: Come on guys, my questions improve your product because it shows ambiguity. I'm not going to sit on the phone with you just to get this answered. Stop sucking.

• Beretta bought Uberti (makes reproduction cowboy guns). So, my guns list has been revised as follows:
  • Beretta Stampede Deluxe chambered in .357 magnum, 7.5 inch barrel. Basically, a Colt Peacemaker with modern safety features and a lower price tag.
  • Marlin 1894C chambered in .357 magnum. Your classic lever action rifle.
  • Some cheap Coach Gun shotgun (basically a double-barreled shotgun with a 20 inch barrel, so it's fairly short
  • A VEPR AK-47 with the composite furniture. Basically, a quality AK.
  • A PTR-91K. US Production of an HK91.
  • A Bushmaster M4 Type Rifle. Basically a civilian M4
  • A Bushmaster A3 .308 Carbine. This is the Stoner blowback action and system modified to take FAL mags, which are readily available
  • Once this is done, I'll switch back to buying pistols. Probably something in the new .45GAP. Of course, it's going to take me about a year to buy all the above guns.
  • I should probably mention that I don't really like the Stoner action. The little gas port tends to get fouled. The Kalashnikov action is much more rugged. However, the manufacturing quality (or lack thereof) of the Russian industrial machine led them to be a bit less accurate than the M16's. But, it presents an interesting compare/contrast and therefore is worth having both.
  • A reproduction Thompson and domestic production MP5 will probably make it on to this list at some point as well. I don't understand why SMG's are classed short-barrelled rifles and therefore just like machine guns. It's kind of silly. After all, SMG's are probably the best home defense weapon, especially when chambered for .45ACP. Good stopping power, yet when placed in a larger form factor than a pistol, easily controllable.

  Anyway, guess that's it for tonight. Time to go eat sushi.

  Category: LJ Import
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