Monthly Archive for December, 2005

Page 3 of 9

Xbox 360 fails to outsell the GameCube in Japan

So the 360 isn’t hot at all in Japan. In fact its sales are worse than the GameCube launch! After its second week out it has only sold 8623 units, not even coming up to par with the GameCube. What is with Japan, do they not like the next gen consoles anymore apart from their own? The Xbox 360 is sold out in nearly every other country except for Japan. Maybe they are anti Microsoft and they just want to wait for the Revolution.

This is a performance so far in Japan beneath even the low standards of the original Xbox’s launch – in large part thanks to the continued non-appearance of Dead or Alive 4 or any other prominent Japanese-developed titles.
The PlayStation 2 was the third best selling console this week in Japan, with a 8.92 percent market share and 55,342 units sold. The Game Boy Advance family of consoles was next with a 5.48 percent overall share (Game Boy Advance SP: 19,098, Game Boy Micro: 14,432, Game Boy Advance: 416), followed by the GameCube at 2.88 percent and 17,849 units sold. Despite plenty of stock the Xbox 360, as mentioned, could manage only a 1.39 percent market share and 8,623 units sold, beating only the original Xbox on 0.03 percent and 182 units sold.

Well the stats speak for themselves. We’ll just have to wait for the 360′s to keep on coming to the rest of the world while Japan has plenty.

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BTW: I did get a 360, so it looks like Santa thought I was good. This is the reason for the lack of posts, I will try to have more coming. I’ll have some pictures up in a post with my mini review soon.

The Web Browser is 15 years old

Fifteen years ago, the Web browser was invented on Christmas day. We look at its history, talk to Tim Berners-Lee and ponder the ways the software provokes users to define their own ways of consuming information online. [digg]

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Why Ice Cream Gives You Brainfreeze

I scream, you scream, we all scream for . . . ow! That cone of vanilla fudge swirl has done it again: The sweet treat has quickly given you a bad headache. But don’t blame the ice cream. [digg]

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May or may not do Christmas Eve/Day postings

As I am Hungarian I get to open my presents a day earlier than anyone else! So officially tomorrow is Christmas for me and if Santa thinks that I have been a good boy he might give me a 360. So if he does I will obviously be occupied for the whole day. I will be taking some photos though of my setup (as we have a Sony Bravia LCD TV) and I will post them whenever I can. I may try to use the multimedia streaming function of the 360, but it may take me a while to battle with my Windows PC that I run only when I need it to. It’s a shame Microsoft doesn’t make a version for Mac so I can stream all the cool stuff from my Mac instead of having to start up my PC and change the monitor cable (I’m don’t have much money and I really can’t be bothered to buy a KVM when the Windows PC will be moved out soon, hopefully!)

Enjoy yourselves and have Merry Christmukkakwanza and a happy new year!

Introducing the Xbox Live Diamond card

Xbox Live Diamond Card

Nothing screams “geek” like flashing your Xbox Live Diamond card on a date. But heck, a discount’s a discount—and fine dining can be expensive. Today, Microsoft unveiled the Xbox Live Diamond card, available free-of-charge to Xbox Live subscribers (note: the program will launch next year). The Diamond card will be personalized with your gamertag and will grant you discounts at participating retailers, including McDonald’s, Ticketmaster, and Timberland. [Joystiq]

This seems like an interesting approach Microsoft is taking to try and get more people to get Xbox Live. I think it is only available to the US at the moment, but seriously can you imagine going into McDonalds with a friend and flashing your ultra hip Xbox Live card? Probably not. Depending on what other retailers there will be and what else it can do, I think it may not be a bad idea.

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Symantec AntiVirus causes a “Highly critical” flaw in OS X

Symantec AntiVirus for Mac

It seems like the “world’s most trusted” antivirus software for Mac has some flaws that actually makes OS X more vulnerable.

The vulnerability occurs when AntiVirus is decompressing files compressed in the RAR format for scanning. When AntiVirus is performing this operation, it is susceptible to to multiple heap overflows allowing attackers complete control of the system(s) being protected. “Successful exploitation of Symantec protected systems allows attackers unauthorized control of data and related privileges. It also provides leverage for further network compromise. Symantec implementations are likely vulnerable in their default configuration. In default configurations users are likely vulnerable regardless of whether they choose to open or read the email.
The only solution at this point is to filter RAR archives at email or proxy gateways, or disable and uninstall Norton AntiVirus.

When I was using Symantec AntiVirus for PC I really hated it because it was an enourmous memory hog, and it didn’t do much. I had soon realised there was a piece of software out from Eset called NOD32 which is a much better antivirus software. I have found it to be a lot better and has some other features including sending an email when a virus is found. As for my Mac, I don’t use any antivirus. Well, sort of, I once downloaded ClamXav which is a free “virus checker for Mac OS X. It uses the tried, tested and very popular ClamAV open source antivirus engine as a back end.” I have only used it once, and it found nothing. I have yet to run it again as I believe that it is not needed. So far there are no viruses for OS X. I think Symantec is over priced and over rated. They should fix this soon otherwise they will loose a lot more customers.

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LG SteamWasher cleans clothes without water

Do if you want to cut down on those trips to the cleaners, you may want to check out LG’s SteamWasher, a washing machine that also includes a water-free steam cycle that the company says can “remove wrinkles and odors from clothing without the use of water or detergent.” Of course, you’ll pay something of a premium for all those wrinkle-free suits: the SteamWasher goes for about $1,500. So, either way, you’re being taken to the cleaners. [Engadget]

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Run Linux as a Windows Screensaver

IBM developerWorks is running a curious article by Chris Ward that describes how to “Construct and package a Linux LiveCD so that it will … operate as a standard Windows screensaver.” Why would you want to run Linux as a screensaver? Well, mostly because you can, but also “to help remove two obstacles to the wider adoption of free and open source software … the perceived difficulty and disruptive effects of installing Linux [and] the uncertainty of hardware support for Linux.” The project requires QEMU, a PC emulator, and some modifications to its source, but it’s pretty straightforward. [download squad]

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Photo tour of VW manufacturing factory

WV Dresden

This site takes you on a photo tour of the factory where VW builds the Phaeton in Dresden, Germany. Has lots of detailed photos and annotations. Quite cool, look like a really clean place. Apparently the public can go on guided and unguided tours, just find the place. The finished cars look pretty damn nice!

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New X-ray scanner speeds up scanning

A hi-tech scanner has been developed which takes images in less time than it takes the human heart to beat. The Somatom Definition machine contains two X-ray scanners so full body images can be taken twice as fast. Manufacturer Siemens said the scanner, which will be available in the UK next autumn, is ideal for diagnosing heart problems because of its speed.

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