The New Chrome OS

(Disclaimer: All features subject to change, my experience is from a CR-48 running the developer build of Chrome OS Version 20.0.1132.15 dev. Your experience may vary.)
Google just won't let the Chromebook die. It seems like their long tail support approach is finally paying off with their newest update to their Chrome OS.

If you haven't had a chance to see it in action yet, the Chrome OS is basically Google’s home brew, linux powered, browser based, operating system with enough punch to drive a small laptop. The first run of Chromebooks featuring Chrome OS came to the market with a lot of buzz and interest but it also came with a laundry list of caveats and a hefty price tag. Chrome OS was designed for users that were always within range of internet access, and were entrenched in the Google universe, as all of their data would be stored to the cloud (tho some models do sport 3G access through Verizon). Users could not originally save their data locally and the laptop would be rendered useless if used in an environment with no connectivity. Google regularly posted updates for the Chrome OS, which is par for the course with Google, and the chromebooks really started to improve and become more of a viable option for more regular users.

Good News, Everyone!
Now your Chrome OS has been completely transformed into a more flexible and feature packed system. First up we see that the quick starting Chrome OS now welcomes you to an actual wallpaper for a more traditional (even macbook-esque) feel. At the bottom of the screen you have your “toolbar” on the left and notifications like wifi status, battery, and clock on the right. Your toolbar consists of buttons for the chrome browser, Gmail, docs, search, YouTube, and apps. The buttons will open chrome to the pages you want, and the apps button will turn your new desktop into a grid of your apps and games you’ve downloaded from the chrome store. With the addition of an actual desktop you leave the classic (yet, boring unless there is a doodle that day) Google Homepage for a new prettier desktop image of your choosing.

The fonts and window dressings have been tweaked as well, the notification bar pops up pertinent information as well as giving you a quick way to tinker with your settings without having to go to the main settings page. It also appears that for the CR48 its blue-tooth functionality is coming as the option for it now appears but it does not seem to be working (yet). You can re-size your windows and even “snap” them to the sides of the screen so you can work in multiple open windows at once. The resizing button even has its own features allowing you to quickly minimize, maximize and relocate your windows. Outside of that the basic tabs windows remain largely unchanged. Clicking the wrench pulls up the same options, however, going to the settings page takes you to a new and improved interface for all your tweaking needs. Here you can adjust everything as you could before but Google has taken the time to make finding the features easier and wording for what they do a lot more understandable. 

The problem with on-board storage has also been addressed. The Chromebook now makes it easier to tap into the included storage memory for file access. And the media player has also been adjusted to show a friendlier interface for music playback. In addition to seeing what files you have on your hard drive, you can also see what files you have on your Google Drive. It allows you to access all of your online files from the same screen as your local ones. The issue of Google Music integration is still missing, but the addition of the integrated Google Drive access is a welcome one.

So far, using it has been just as easy; there isn’t much to adjust for as it more closely resembles a “normal” Windows, Linux or Mac desktop.  I guess that's pretty much it- same Chrome engine, sexy new Chrome body with a few new bells and whistles for good measure. I am very excited to see what the next updates will hold and what features might be integrated into the Chromebooks. The announcement of the Chromebox with a lot more horsepower under the hood in a much smaller package makes me wonder just how much Google is really planning for this platform. I think the Chromebook is a great product for techies who know how to mash all their online capabilities together. Facebook, Chrome, and other web games are fine on them as well, but there’s no Steam for Chromebooks yet, and frankly, the hardware isn’t geared for it yet (maybe steam for Linux will open that door... dreaming). I suppose gaming isn't the focus for Chome OS at this point anyway; its a solid OS that runs quick and light. The future for Chrome OS is bright, but the price to feature ratio is still a bit off for the average consumer.

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WWE Raw Wrapup - 6/5/2012

WWE Raw - June 5th, 2012

The "Supershow" is getting less super by the week.  Once again, we're reminded that Big Show is on a rampage via video package.  To be honest, if he were causing so much destruction, I think people would remember.  But WWE doesn't think that highly of the fans, it would seem.

Michael Cole is in the ring to start the show, calling John Cena down.  I could write paragraphs about this, but it boils down to the same excuses Cena gave for not helping out Show that we've heard for two weeks.  Cole tells Cena he's overrated and no longer interesting.  Big Johnny rolls out and says that in the interest of fairness, Cena can pick his opponent tonight.  Cena wants Johnny, but he says he's retired.  Instead, Cena picks Cole.  Cole is an announcer, and as we were JUST reminded, Cena can't put his hands on him.  So Cena picks him as an opponent.  Logical.  As Johnny leaves, Cena mocks his voice, which as of two weeks ago was an offense that could get you fired; now there's no repercussion at all.  This is all so lazy it hurts.  Johnny tells Cole that in the interest of People Power (and an impending job evaluation), he isn't sneaking out of this match.

Match 1 - Dolph Ziggler vs Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion), non-title
Winner: Sheamus via pinfall

A repeat of their match from Smackdown, with some minor differences.  Again, we see the White Noise to Brough Kick combination, but to be fair, Sheamus and Ziggler played this to perfection.  If there's a match I don't mind seeing more than once, this is it, but Ziggler could use some wins if he's supposed to be breaking out on his own.

 
After the match, del Rio and Ricardo attack Sheamus from behind and ends up hanging Sheamus off the stage in the Cross Armbreaker.  Set up for the PPV, but this match and this attack together get less time than Cole and Cena to only barely touch on the 'main event' for the same show.  Nobody in charge sees an issue with this.

In the back, David Otunga and Johnny are discussing Vince McMahon's return next week (Which is also a 3 hour Raw).  Vince will conduct Ace's job eval himself.  Vince was removed from power last time we saw him.  Ratings panic makes these people make atrocious decisions.

Match 2 - Sin Cara vs Hunico
Winner: Sin Cara via pinfall

Solid action, ending in La Mistica and a pinfall.  The only complaint I could possibly lobby here is that this deserved three times as much time as it got.  Three minutes isn't enough to build stars and Hunico is more than good enough in the ring to be elevated above where he is at the moment.  Sin Cara seems very crisp after his time off.

 A Raw 1000th episode memory moment: John Cena comes to Raw as champion in 2005

Match 3 - Stan Stanksy and Arthur Rosenberg vs Ryback
Winner: Ryback via pinfall

Ryback kills two guys.  His pyro is still not shown on screen.  Ryback gave one of these guys the highest toss I've ever seen in a wrestling match.  He also delivered a lariat to both guys with one arm.  Same formula, couple minor changes.  If Ryback wants to be fed more, he needs real opponents.  If he were actually a character, wouldn't he be asking for better opponents in the back??

Match 4 - CM Punk (WWE Champion) vs Kane, non-title, There must be a winner
Winner: Kane via pinfall

The WWE Champ is again the top of the hour main event.  Billed an hour before John Cena vs Michael Cole.  Fuck.  Daniel Bryan is out and has a Q&A session with the crowd: Has AJ gone delusional?  YES!  Will Kane destroy Punk?  YES!  At No Way Out, will he leave as WWE Champion?  YES! YES! YES!  The match goes on, much like Smackdown and AJ ends up at ringside.  After some ringside shenanigans and AJ's presence on the apron, Punk takes a Chokeslam.  AJ is caught in the ring with Kane and Bryan takes the opportunity to attack Kane from behind (were we supposed to think he's defending AJ?  That's up in the air.) but gets booted away.  AJ shifts from a look of fear to a cute smile and Kane bails from the ring.  If Kane thinks you're too nuts to deal with, you are indeed a crazy chick.

Courtesy of http://ilovewrestlinggifs.tumblr.com/

The match served its purpose to continue building the program for the PPV, so no huge complaints other than its given time slot.

Josh Matthews catches up with AJ in the back and asks what was with the look she gave Kane.  She likes when men look at her.  She flirts with Josh a bit, says maybe he's her type and heads off.  Perhaps a shift from a crazy chick to a manipulative bitch?  She's better in every role she plays than the other divas that get on TV.  Let this program finish out, decide with whom she ends up and then put her on the fast track to the Diva's title.  It's only right.

Big Show gives a sit down interview akin to the one Brock Lesnar gave before the match with Cena.  Show wants to correct the fact that his legacy is him as a fool.  He does what he wants; he's not an entertaininer  He's a giant.  This is the attitude he should have always had.

Match 5 - Kofi Kingston and R-Truth (Tag Champions) vs Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins, non-title
Winners: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth via pinfall

I faded in and out on this one.  Fairly standard tag with Kofi doing all his usual high flying and barely selling his taped up midsection from the Big Show attack.  Nice to see Reks and Hawkins on television; they could be an effective tag team if used regularly.

A Raw 1000th episode memory moment: HHH returns in 2002 after his quad injury.  The crowd goes wild.

John Cena enters the ring, eager to beat up Michael Cole.  Big Johnny rides out and says that he always over delivers.  If Cena can beat "this man", his match with Cole will be no DQ.  Tensai is introduced.

Match 6 - John Cena vs Tensai
Winner: John cena via pinfall

Tensai looks good in this match; he's much better with a back and forth bit of action than a 5 minute squash.  Cena lands an Attitude Adjustment from outta nowhere for a pin.

Match 7 - John Cena vs Michael Cole
Winner: John Cena via pinfall

Cole is belligerent after running away.  Cena takes off Cole's pants and chops his chest.  Cena forces Cole to apologize to Lawler and JR for his general turd-ness.  Cena pours JR's BBQ sauce on Cole and sprays him with an extinguisher.  Tensai sneaks back in and lands a Chokebomb and Cole covers for a near two.  Cena lands another Attitutde Adjustment and wins.  Whatever.

This is how the last twenty minutes of Raw was spent.  This is why the WWE Champion couldn't be the main event of his show.  Next week we get three hours, and in July, they shift to three hours every week.  It's not looking good.  If they don't make a concerted effort to fill that 'extra' hour with some good action and some real storyline work, they're going to be upset when the ratings averages get skewed.  And if I know WWE, that will get taken out on the guys that "we" are fans of; it sure as hell won't get taken out on John Cena.  And that's not even to mention the ludicrousness of Cena treating Cole like this with the "B.A.Star" campaign ongoing.  Vince, with no power, returns next week.  He'll probably get blown up in another limo on the way out. 

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The Age of Zeus, by James Lovegrove Review

The Age of Zeus is the second of the Pantheon series by author James Lovegrove.  Fear not fellow readers because the "Age of" books are not a continuous series.  So if you hate Zeus (the character) or any other mythologies that Mr. Lovegrove has written about you don't have to read them all to understand the others, each is a stand alone title that works by itself and is a complete story.  The relief that presents in what the book industry has become today is lovely.  Today the book world might be called "The Age of Trilogy" because nobody can do one story by itself anymore or just a book and sequel everyone is cashing in on the three part series.  Thankfully Lovegrove isn't doing that at all.

SPOILERS BELOW!

This book is rather straight forward.  The gods from the Greek pantheon have forcibly taken over the world through violence, domination, and displays of their power.  They have no qualms about killing innocent people to make their point and they have essentially become the rulers of earth which there is nothing anyone can do about it. Mr. Landesman (an old man and one of the main characters in the book) has a very different plan and no longer wishes to be dominated by the gods.  He has assembled a rag-tag group of individuals who has a hatred for the gods due to personal loss to try and fight back wearing suits of extremely high tech armor and calling themselves the Titans.  The Titans are selected because a member of their family or a friend was killed directly the gods hand or by one of the monsters the gods allowed to run amok on Earth. 

Titans are on a mission to kill every monster that is running around maiming and killing innocent people.  Monsters vary from the cyclops, gorgons, griffin, minotaur, to the sphinx and all of the others that existed in those ancient myths.  After killing the monsters, they move onto assassinating the gods themselves, which one can say is not an easy task.  Some of the gods are assassinated in a brutal and awesome manner, one standing out is Hercules.  Although Hercules was not a "god" per say, he still fits in with the pantheon of Greek gods and heroes and what the Titans do to him is disturbingly awesome.  The book culminates in a battle of epic proportions on none other than Mount Olympus where the you know what really hits the fan. No I won't spoil the ending but let's say it is very satisfying.

There are elements to this story besides war and blood.  There is an underlying love connection, the struggles that Sam (the main protagonist) goes through both internally and externally.  She really shows how humanity can overcome violence in certain parts, while in others she is kicking ass with the rest of the Titans.   Family is big part of the book and shows how it can be a saving grace or ultimate demise.  The book is so multi-faceted that almost any reader can enjoy it. 

The book takes a dive into sci-fi war where there is a lot of ass-kicking, tons of action, and all of it in great detail.  Overall the plot is progressed in such a speed that you don't even realize it is progressing until you sit back and say to yourself "holy crap when did that all happen?" I personally loved how Lovegrove took a book about Greek mythology, hybridized it with science fiction war, and was able to do so in such a clean and crisp manner.  I know a lot about Greek mythology and I was learning things about various monsters and gods I never knew before. I was happy to be a student learning things about Greek myths written in a language that isn't ancient and horrible to read (although Lovegrove is English so sometimes there is an extra u or o thrown into a word.)

Books have a way of forcing you to finish once you hit that point. That point is where you have to finish it and now because of how badly you need to know how it ends. This book has that point with about 150 pages left. I literally sat on my couch and plowed through 150 pages as fast as I could absorbing what I could in order to fully enjoy this story. The book is almost 700 pages long but don't let that fool you.  You will be far into the story before you even know it.  Pages fly by and you wonder what can he do with all these pages that are left, but you will be quite happy with the result. 

 It is a very clean read easy to pick up and enjoy. I wouldn't call it a book for kids just because there are sex elements, language and a lot of violence that occurs in the story so if your looking for a way to teach your kids about Zeus I would recommend a different source.  For the reader who enjoys sci-fi, war, or mythology this is the book for you.

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WWE Smackdown Lowdown - 6/1/2012

WWE Smackdown - June 1st, 2012

Kane receives a shot at the WWE title, which hasn't been defended on Smackdown in years.  How did he earn this title shot?  He got beaten with chairs for a couple weeks.  Can't argue with that logic, right?  Kane vs CM Punk tonight, WWE title on the line.  Can't imagine any shenanigans will ensue...

We open the show with Sheamus coming to the ring, telling us that Alberto del Rio has spent his life being served, but money can't buy everything.  David Otunga comes out and orders Sheamus to apologize for bumping into Big Johnny.  Sheamus cracks a coffee joke instead.  Obviously David Otunga's orders don't carry much weight.  Del Rio interrupts and says not to expect an apology from a peasant and a street hooligan.  Del Rio will get to pick Sheamus' opponent for the night.  With this announcement, Otunga catches a Brough Kick in the head and Sheamus tells them to never trust a hooligan.  Standard open; it'll serve to advance a couple things later in the show.

Match 1 - Sin Cara vs Heath Slater
Winner: Sin Cara via pinfall

Sin Cara makes his return after months away from the TV audience.  No more trampoline entrance.  A quick two minute match to reintroduce the audience to Cara's moves, and Slater is a good choice of opponent since he's an athlete and can keep up.  Cara finishes Slater with La Mistica, minus the armbar.  Odd choice; why not just let him use the armbar part too?  Hopefully we're not stuck with these 'reintroduction' matches for too long; we already have Christian in this mode and Ryback for quick squashes.  There's too much wrestling for what seems like no purpose on these shows; very few people seem to have advancement and titles in mind, so there's little competition for anything.

Match 2 - Ezekiel Jackson vs Damien Sandow
Winner: Damien Sandow via pinfall

For the first time, the bell rings before Sandow can talk.  Then he talks.  He calls Zeke another ignoramus and won't participate.  As he goes to leave, Zeke tosses him back in the ring.  Countering the rack, Sandow lands his knees, a side russian leg sweep and the cross arm neckbreaker for the win.  He strikes a pose as he pins Zeke.

Courtesy of http://ilovewrestlinggifs.tumblr.com/

So Zeke, an enormously powerful man, gets his ass beaten in 3 minutes by a guy half his size and nobody bats an eye.  It's fine to have this type of match, but the opponent chosen is an important decision as well.

Alberto del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez are in the back.  Dolph Ziggler asks ADR to put him against Sheamus tonight; Ziggler wants a chance to shine and to show off.  Altogether good, as he is in the midst of breaking from his current stable.  Del Rio likes Ziggler's passion and agrees.

Match 3 - Ryan Shelton and Chris Lyons vs Ryback
Winner: Ryback via pinfall

A repeat match with two different local guys.  Ryback demolishes them and hits the dual Fisherman Samoan Buster for the win.  Ryback plays to the crowd a bit more after the match, but more of the same.

Raw Replay of Big Show destroying everyone.  They show a graphic for the Big Show/Cena match and Cena is lazily mirrored, so his merch is all backwards.

Somebody got paid for this...

Match 4 - Sheamus (World Heavyweight Champion) vs Dolph Ziggler, non-title
Winner: Sheamus via pinfall

The crowd is strongly behind Ziggler tonight and goes crazy for his headstand chinlock spot.  Good back and forth action and Ziggler walks into an attempted Irish Curse backbreaker, but it goes a little bad, so Sheamus transitions to a rib breaker.  Now, this is good for him - Sheamus is good at these audibles.  Cole, on the other hand, can't handle it, as he still calls the rib breaker the Irish Curse.  Sheamus ends up on the top rope and Dolph hops up and lands a top rope x-factor, which looked amazing.  Sheamus eventually shrugs the Zigzag off and lands White Noise followed by the Brough Kick for the win.  So Sheamus' new finisher has been relegated to a set up for the Brough Kick.  Great.

The match itself was fine and shows why Ziggler is a future star; he just has not been used effectively for too long.

CM Punk is in the back and tells Matt Striker that Ace is intent on getting the belt off of him.  After a run down of Kane's nicknames, Punk says that he'll make the devil's favorite demon go to sleep.

A replay of the Usos vs Young and O'Neil plays.  Which of course means one of them will be on next.

Match 5 - Darren Young and Titus O'Neil vs Zack Ryder and Santino Marella (US Champion)
Winners: Ryder and Marella via pinfall

In an inset interview, Young and O'Neil name themselves the Prime Time Playas.  Quick, early aggression from Young early, but a counter into a rollup from Santino ends the match very quickly.  Ryder never gets in and not much happens.  Odd to have the new guys name themselves and then immediately have them lose like this.

Big Show comes in and destroys Santino and Ryder.  Santino goes into the WWE sign on the stage, Ryder gets a slam on the stairs, then Show puts Santino in the Colossal Clutch on the stairs then delivers the WMD to the back of his head.  Show is a monster again; about damn time.

  
AJ is in the back and Daniel Bryan enters.  He says Punk doesn't care about AJ and is using her.  AJ tells Bryan he's jealous, and what does he care?  He doesn't; but he used to.  Very high school, but that's about how things tend to go in WWE.

Match 6 - Cody Rhodes vs Tyson Kidd
Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall

Christian is in the commentary booth and we get yet another rewind to him winning the Intercontinental title.  The crowd absolutely loves him.  Now, the match - Rhodes vs Kidd, ideally, should get a ton of time.  Both guys are young and great in the ring.  Kidd especially has not had the time to shine since his tag title runs, which in WWE time are forever ago.  Rhodes beats Kidd in 3 minutes with Crossrhodes.  The NXT guys should be used for this, not Kidd.  Christian and Rhodes will have their rematch moving forward, and given some time, they'll have good matches.

Match 7 - Kane vs CM Punk (c), WWE Title
No Contest

Punk works Kane's arm, following on from the beating he took from Bryan and his chair recently.  Part way through the match, AJ makes her way to ringside.  After a bit more action, Bryan heads to ringside as well.  AJ warns Punk, who dives onto Bryan.  As Bryan made no successful attack on Punk, the ref doesn't call for a DQ.  Punk lands a flying elbow on Kane back in the ring for two and as the men get back to their feet, Bryan flies with a missile dropkick to both of them.

Bryan lands kicks, but Kane ends up double chokeslamming both men.  Ace rolls out on his rascal scooter and says that at No Way Out, the WWE title will be a triple threat.  Fair enough.

The match itself was better than expected; lots of back and forth and Kane was shown to be less than invincible.  Triple threats are a different dynamic and could potentially be really good with the three involved, not to mention the x factor of AJ.

A strong second half of the show saves a bit of a dull first half.  Ziggler is allowed to shine and hangs toe to toe with the World Heavyweight Champion.  Tyson Kidd gets to be on TV.  Big Show is continuing on his regrowth to monster status.  This is the time for the younger guys or the guys that don't see much TV time to shine, with Orton and Jericho out/gone.

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E3 Nintendo Primer

Nintendo has had a pre E3 presentation and has announced a couple pieces of news pertaining to the Wii U:

First of all, some controller changes.  The main touchpad controller for the Wii U, the "Wii U Gamepad" has seen a bit of a redesign, with adjusted grips and analog sticks.  Start and Select have been put in a more accessible place and the previous 3DS-like analog slider pads are now full fledged analog sticks, clickable like your standard 360/PS3 sticks.  The GamePad will have various functions, including a video chat, but it stands to be seen just how effective this will be.  A quick video call to a friend playing the same game to invite him to play together online could be an interesting change, but could also get old quite quickly.  The GamePad will also function as a TV remote; if you plan on just playing your Wii U, you can now turn the TV on with the GamePad instead of reaching for the TV remote.

Nintendo has also shown a new Wii U Pro Controller, for the 'hardcore' fan base.  It's a modified and updated version of the Classic Controller Pro for the Wii, with a distinct shape akin to the Xbox 360 controller.  And this is not a bad thing.  The key difference between the two is the inverted placement of the right analog stick and the face buttons.  It looks a bit strange, but given how comfy the 360's right analog stick is, I'm sure it's something that can easily be adjust to.  Don't forget that Nintendo holds the patent on the 'cross' dpad - No squishy circle on this controller.

On the software front, we have been given a glimpse of the Mii Universe, a vastly expanded version of Wii's Mii Plaza.  When you start your system, you'll see group of Miis "conversing" about games and applications.  Some games will have the ability to incorporate this into level selects, etc to see what other players think before you even begin to play.

Nintendo seems to have a renewed (or rather, newly acquired) interest in a proper online component.  Social aspects are important and modern, but at the core of it all, we need a solid online play structure, like Xbox Live or PSN.  I don't want to have to put forth a ton of effort to add a friend and play a game with them; I should be able to do this with ease by this point, and it's a front that Nintendo has failed to address.

We were also shown a bit of specific social interaction; someone 'posting' about a level in a game and someone seeing this post on his mobile phone.  At this stage, I would say this is more proof of concept than the actual system; it could potentially be interesting, especially if Android/iOS apps are released to match.  It would be a bit like a private twitter feed amongst your friends and fellow gamers on specifics.  Or at least that's one possibility.

Throughout the week, we'll hopefully have more concrete examples and of course, tons of news on upcoming games.  Fingers crossed for a bit of info on Smash Bros 4, but that could be a long shot at this point.

Stay tuned, inmates!

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