Out With a Whisper - The Pirate Bay

The Pirate Bay has been a mainstay in the news for almost the entire duration of its existence.  Constant skirmishes over copyright violation meant frequent downtime and drops in service as this pirate torrent site, which only served to showcase its resilience.  It's like The Pirate Bay could not die, as the authorities played an almost comical game of whack-a-mole attempting to shut them down in countries around the world.

For many casual users who visit torrent sites to share media this was expected.  There seems to be this  causal understanding that the content being shared is obviously not being shared with means that are fully above board, but that it is our God given right to have access because we found it on the internet.  The internet is open to all, I just found the content here.  If anything, we're just users.  Nobody weeps for the guy delivering the content, they just get angry when it inconveniences them.  So I think for most people, when TPB goes through a raid or scare like the one earlier this week (that seems to have shuttered the service for good), we shrug and move on with our lives, maybe cursing under our breath in mild annoyance.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised then that nobody seems to be saying much about the possibility of no more of The Pirate Bay.  It's like everyone was expecting it to happen, as they cling loosely to the remains of the service that was always there to count on.  It just all seems very relaxed, and I'm wondering why I haven't seen more outrage from the community.  The perspective that scares me, and the reason I was always relieved to see The Pirate Bay revive itself each time, is that it always seemed to be the tentpole for the whole community of torrent users and sites.  Without The Pirate Bay, who will be the scapegoat in this witch hunt for infringement?  Will this be the end of torrent sites as we know them?  Will another site rise from the ashes of The Pirate Bay?  Time will tell.

I'm not sad to see The Pirate Bay go, but I am interested to see how this ecosystem reacts in the wake of its departure.

ASUS ZenWatch Review

Here's Engadget's review of the ASUS ZenWatch, one of the most stylish Android Wear devices released to date:

ASUS ZenWatch Review - Engadget

I'm kind of on the sidelines of the wearables discussion because I've chosen not to buy into them yet.  To me each outing of new hardware never dares to be anything more, and the limitations of the software and hardware of this form factor are very apparent and limiting.  Even the glitzy announcement of the Apple Watch wasn't all that impressive when you looked at what we're getting.

But, if you're dying to be an early adopter, the ZenWatch surely is one of your best bets right now.  Only the Moto 360 took a real approach to style otherwise, and still suffered due to what was capable.  I would not mind wearing this on my wrist every day.

Just as a side note - I think part of the issue here too is that $300 for a watch is a decent price if you're buying quality because it lasts forever.  Not true with a smartwatch, which I predict won't be desirable to keep much longer than your typical smartphone refresh cycle.  I'm sure that's what the companies making these watches intend, and at some point that might be worth the investment, but with the current state of affairs in the smartphone business I'm far from convinced.

Grand Theft Auto 5, Australian culture, and how the American press misses the point

Read this opinion piece by Claire Hosking on Polygon about the issues with Grand Theft Auto and the controversy it has been causing in Australia.

Polygon - Grand Theft Auto 5, Australian culture, and how the American press misses the point

I think this might be my favorite part of the article.  It's interesting to see how education promotes open channels of communication and understanding in a way much unlike the way we were brought up to think:

" THIS IS, IN PART, AN EDUCATION ISSUE

Australia has a less polarized view toward speech and art than America and many internet commentators. We're more likely to participate in public debates about it, more likely to feel heard and have more faith in judging it.

Part of that is the way media literacy is taught in schools. In my state, for our university exams, we were taught a unit on how TV, books, poems, ads and films use techniques to reinforce implicit meanings, and one on how different viewpoints read texts differently.

We had to be able to compare and contrast our own interpretations of a text with how other ideologies might interpret it, such as feminist, Marxist, capitalist or classical works. We were required to form our own personal judgments about the values of the text and how well they were expressed. You could have any interpretation you wanted as long as you could cite the bit of the text that led you to those conclusions and lucidly explain why.

We bake cultural awareness and critical thinking into our education. This helps Australians feel empowered to judge media, but also to tolerate when other citizens or companies act on their judgments and reject some media. As such, I think Australia usually strikes a good balance between ensuring citizens can speak truth to power, and giving them the skills to do so, and ensuring that certain kinds of speech don't harm the less powerful."

Tim Schafer is remastering his classic LucasArts adventure games

Polygon reports that Tim Schafer, creator of many classic Lucas Arts adventure games, plans to re-visit Day of the Tentacle, a classic 1993 point and click cult classic.

Polygon - Tim Schafer's plans for Day of the Tentacle Remastered, revisiting more LucasArts classics

Double Fine, Schafer's studio and creator of Kickstarter-funded Broken Age - a new point and click adventure game which is in the progress of completing its second part and finale - just recently announced the January 27th release of Grim Fandango Remastered which was the first of these revisited Lucas Arts productions.

I'm very excited, as someone new to the genre and these titles, to get a chance to play the old Lucas Arts adventures in this updated format.  I bought and played part 1 of Broken Age and really loved it, and am looking forward to buying both Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle when they are released on PC.

If you haven't yet, check out Broken Age here.

PlayStation Intro

Certain sounds just launch you back in time with a blast of warm nostalgia.  This is one of them.

Enjoy your trip back in time!

No Man's Sky - Portal

I just wanted to share this trailer, entitled Portal, for Hello Games' upcoming game No Man's Sky, a game you've undoubtedly heard a lot about if you pay attention to gaming news.  If you haven't, check it out at their website.  To summarize, No Man's Sky is a space exploration game with a nearly infinite universe to explore, all generated procedurally in real time.

I'm very excited about this game, the potential to explore is awesome.  I'm curious to see people's reactions when they get some time to explore.  I enjoy the aesthetics of the game in theory, but all of these bright dramatic colors seem a bit much from the trailer.  I can imagine after hours of gameplay how this could be a bit overwhelming.

I'm also curious if there is any semblance of scripting or story involved.  The idea of a procedurally generated universe is interesting, but I'm wondering how it will be exploring at will with no real purpose.  Also I'm concerned that I haven't seen any NPC humans in these trailers.  Makes it feel kind of empty.  I don't like being all alone in a game.  I suppose we'll have to see!

Movie List - Birdman

Now, full disclosure, I saw Birdman on a quiet Monday night at my local indie movie theater.  It was the first time ever being there, and it was awesome.  Calm, quaint, and well curated with some of the best films getting small releases.  It was literally perfect for me.  The reason I mention it, is that this warm fuzzy feeling of nostalgia for a place I was seeing for the first time may have influenced my opinion of Birdman.  That said, let me tell you about it.

The film opens, and you're immediately hit with the weird altered reality that this film exists in.  A one in which you hear the inside of Michael Keaton as Riggan Thompson's head as he floats about three feet above the ground in his tighty-whitey's.  From this relative serenity you're launched headfirst into the film, which moves at an astounding pace and never really lets up.

There are a few major aspects of Birdman that set it apart and that I'm still thinking about now.  The first is just the technical mastery that went into making this film work in the way that Alejandro González Iñárritu chose to shoot it.  The film essentially bolts you into this omnipotent steadicam that floats and flies and bounces through the movie's only locale - the St. James Theater in NYC.  The resulting effect is this feeling that every scene is happening real time, even though it is not, and time passes exponentially in between scenes throughout the film.  Because the film is formatted like one single cut, you get the feeling that you are actually watching a live production.  You can feel the buzz and energy of a play both during scenes on the boards of the St. James and behind the scenes in the dressing rooms and out on the streets of Manhattan.  I loved it, and it makes the movie an important one to watch.

The nature of Riggan's supernatural abilities is something that is constantly questioned throughout the film.  Scenes that showcase his 'powers' are always concurrent with the audience hearing the inside of his head.  The reality of the scene is broken, and you're left wondering when to believe.  I loved questioning this, and if you're like me, you probably will through the end.

Finally I just want to mention that the performances in this movie are wonderful.  Keaton reminded me just how much I love him.  Edward Norton absolutely killed it.  Naomi Watts was brilliant.  Emma Stone, who isn't necessarily my favorite for a more serious role like this one, was wonderful. Zach
Galifianakis was, well he was himself, but he was hilarious and I loved it.  Honestly the screen was filled with talent the entire film.

Overall, Birdman is one of my favorites so far of the year.  It has flaws, and it's not going to make you walk out feeling drastically different, but it's an excellent dark comedy executed brilliantly.  Put it on your list.

I'm A Real Computer Scientist Now - Unicomp Ultra Classic Review

The IBM Model M keyboard is a true classic.  A landmark in computing hardware.  A mainstay in nerd culture.  A truly beautiful peripheral.  And now it's mine!  Well - sorta.

I just bought a Unicomp Ultra Classic Keyboard in Brilliant White, the first upgrade I've made to the PC I built for myself two years ago - safe to say it's a long time coming.  I've been mulling over the possibility of upgrading my keyboard and mouse (that upgrade still pending) since I put my rig together; of course opting to buy the cheapest peripherals available to bring the overall cost of my PC down.  I've researched and debated over a stylish wireless chicklet keyboard, all forms of Cherry MX keyboard switches, etc.  Price, reviews, style, so many things to consider...

There only ever seemed to be one keyboard that left the same great impression on all of its users.  One golden standard for what this peripheral could be.  The IBM Model M.

I could type for hours (literally, this bad boy is great) but The Verge's Adi Robertson put together this incredible article about the Model M and it's history.  One of the driving forces behind me deciding to go with the Ultra Classic from Unicomp.

So, how is it?

I've been typing on this keyboard for a few hours now.  I love it.  Going from my old standard Logitech rubber dome (see below) to this is so refreshing.  Before you even hit the action on the keys it's already more comfortable.  Each key cradles your fingers , awaiting your input.

The switching is loud, deliberate, and responsive.  Compared to certain Cherry MX switches the feedback isn't as immediate.  You still are pushing each key to a hard audible click before feedback and if you're not used to the force required sometimes keys will be missed.  I find I struggle the most hitting the farther keys like Backspace just because the angle and distance that you're reaching from.  I'm beginning to type differently already though.  Instead of resting my hands limply in front of the keys I'm floating higher above the taller keys, already making me more swift and deliberate in my typing.

My only complaint would be that the feedback and key positioning doesn't really lend itself to gaming.  I think it'll be somewhat of an upgrade from my Logitech, but it's no gaming keyboard.  It was never meant to be.  The Model M was meant for typing.  It does its job.

Now, STYLE.  The original Model M in its humble, dull grey casing and keys, isn't the most beautiful thing.  It's functional, practical, but not beautiful.  The Ultra Classic black however is much more exciting.  The contrast between the keys and casing really make them pop.  Of course, the standard grey keys of the Black Ultra Classic weren't enough, so I had to upgrade to the Brilliant White keys.  It was an excellent decision.  The keys truly are brilliant white.  On my black-brown Ikea desk in the midst of my black monitors, speakers, mouse, and the like - they appear to be hovering brightly in space.

I feel I got the best of both worlds.  I have the substance and engineering of the original Model M with updated electronics and aesthetics.  I can't wait to bash this thing until it finally dies, which if it's anything like the original, will hopefully be not for a very, very long time.

Check out the E3 Tech Demo for Half Life 2 and the Source Engine

For old times' sake:

Fun to hear the audience's reaction to this incredible tech from over ten years ago.  Still pretty incredible today.

WAYWT November 2014 - Reddit

I often frequent r/malefashionadvice subreddit in my free time, browsing for outfit ideas and just getting a general feel for how to dress and aspire to look. Check out the top looks from this community for the past month below:

Link Roundup 12/1

Happy Monday!  Check out these links from around the web!

• This article does a good job of introducing Black Mirror, a science fiction show in the same vein as The Twilight Zone.  A show you should definitely be watching - 'Black Mirror,' one of the best sci-fi shows around, is finally streaming on Netflix
• An interesting article.  Very meta for someone like me who frequents The Verge, Polygon and Vox - Vox Media Raises $46.5M At A Reported 380M Valuation
• Watch the teaser trailer for Star Wars The Force Awakens! (see below)
• Useless tech story of the day - Mod turns your graphing calculator into a selfie camera
• Want to know how you're going to get all the crap you order from Amazon on Cyber Monday?  Check it out from inside an Amazon Fulfillment center.  (Hint: Not a flock of drones) - 15,000 robots usher in Amazon's Cyber Monday
• BBC raises a great question about the state of Lego.  If you ask me, the price of the kits is a big part of it.  When I was a kid it was me just destroying like ten kits that led to me having the capital to build what I wanted.  Anyway, worth the read - Has the imagination disappeared from Lego?

Wanderers

I just saw this incredible short film by Erik Wernquist entitled Wanderers. The premise is a visualization of the potential future human exploration of our solar system.

Without further explanation, here's the film:


Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist from Erik Wernquist on Vimeo.
It really is wonderful and breathtaking. Carl Sagan's voice over is haunting and inspiring. Hopefully sometime in the not-so-distant future some of these dreams can become reality.

Quote

I absolutely love this quote.

 "In the beginning, God created the earth, and he looked upon it in His cosmic loneliness. 

And God said, 'Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done.'  And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. 

 Mud as man alone could speak.  God leaned close as mud as man sat up, looked around, and spoke.  Man blinked.  'What is the purpose of all this?' he asked politely. 

'Everything must have a purpose?' asked God. 

'Certainly,' said man. 

'Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this,' said God.  And He went away."

- Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle 

Ars Technica - Ars staffers reveal their work stations and computers.

Ars Technica wrote an article this week displaying many of its staffers' home or office work stations/computers, which I thought was awesome.  Not only is it an inside look at how someone writing for a tech site operates, but it's just really fun to see what kind of set ups everyone has.

Link - Where and how do Ars staffers work? Our computers, let us show you them!

I'm also posting this because it is another driving force behind me wanting to bite the bullet and buy a Mac.  I want to join the clan!  Also definitely grabbing one of those Unicomp keyboards.

Opinion

So, I'm currently really interested in diving into some iOS development and just spending some time tinkering around with Xcode both for personal and professional reasons, and I'm really feeling the hurt of not owning a Mac.  I need someone to talk me into just biting the bullet and spending the money - because that's what it is.  Apple's precious gated community with a thousand+ dollar fee to get in.

I've debated the Mac Mini route, the cheapest buy-in, but I'm also limping by on my old HP ProBook in terms of a laptop, so I feel the need to upgrade there.  I contemplated the Macbook Air, but I normally rely heavily on using hardwired Ethernet in my home, and I would appreciate the additional power and the Retina display.  So basically now I'm talking myself up from like $500 to $1,500.  Plus, I'll have to spend another hundred to publish apps for iOS...

So this is where I am.  Fed-up with my current situation and too strapped for cash to want to take the plunge into the Apple ecosystem.  What do I do internet?  Give me answers!  Or cold hard cash would be great as well.

To make this not just about me, I just want to comment and say that Apple is in a position where they can do this - and while it is pretty shitty to an outsider - I've only heard good things from devs on the other side of the gate.  So I guess I might just have to pony up and pay the fee.

Hello World!

Announcing your existence, as good a way as any to start blogging.

Welcome to Devicive (working title) - "a blog about nothing."  But here or some things I imagine you'll see:

• Tech
• Devices
• Gaming
• Programming
• Pop Culture
• Film
• Television
• Art
• Etc.
• Culture
• Tech related
• Rarely political
• 'Other'

Content will primarily be links to articles, videos, etc. as well as original content and commentary.

I feel my interests have a broad appeal, and I have thoughts to share.  I invite you to listen and form opinions on my thoughts so you can actively pass judgement on both me and this website.  Enjoy!