Rule #1: Deep frying your laptop will not solve your computer problems.
There is an article on MSNBC that includes some survey results about how people deal with computer crashes and a couple of the anecdotes that were funny.
i found a cool little device from VDigi Electronics called the VD-Z3 that lets you connect your XBOX to any computer monitor. it is techinically referred to as a component video to VGA transcoder. this has several benefits — all of which i greatly appreciate. first of all, the box has a pass through for VGA so that the XBOX and computer can be connected at the same time. a switch on the side of the device allows…well, switching, of course. this means i get an extra screen to connect the XBOX and don’t always have to monopolize the large TV set (Megan likes that aspect). secondly, since computer monitors are multi-sync devices, i can enable HD (high definition) output from the XBOX! many XBOX games–all the ones i play, anyway–support HD resolutions. this means better color, detail and overall immersion in the experience. it means getting the most out of the XBOX without dropping a bundle on a HD television. finally, i can easily plug in my headphones to the computer speakers for silent (from the third person view) gaming. this is especially good for late night session in which i frequently engage. not to mention, the aural positioning is improved when wearing headphones. it’s very helpful when playing a game like Halo 2 when you hear gunfire coming from the right before you can even see the shooter. on my television, sound seems to come from the middle rather than either side. anyway, i have really learned to like this device.
the product itself comes with an XBOX HD connector cable (that has component video out as well as analog stereo and optical out), a RCA style to 1/8 mini-jack for connecting computer speakers, and the converter itself. whenever i finally buy a new receiver for my sound system, i can run the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound out of the XBOX, thus adding the final enhancement to my gaming experience. i did have to locate a male to male VGA cable to connect as a pass through from the computer. this is not required but simplifies the process by eliminating frequent physical reconnection of the monitor from PC to the VD-Z3, and allowing me to flip a switch.
the company itself is in Hong Kong and my product was shipped from there. however, shipping costs were only around $13 and the shipment arrived in about a 8 days. this is better than some items i have received from within the U.S.! i have been very happy with my purchase and higly recommend this device to anyone interested in connecting the XBOX to a spare monitor or getting enabling the HD capabilities on a budget.
Your baby brother, Logan was just born a couple of days ago (March 22, 2005). He came home from the hospital tiny and vulnerable like we all do — like you did. I can’t help but think of my brother when I look and you two. You and Logan have almost the same difference in age as my brother and I do. I imagine you will play, fight, laugh and cry. I hope you learn to appreciate you brother and his unique talents. He will look up to you, like all little brothers do. He will emulate you for better or worse, so set a good example. Be good to him. Learn to share with him. Let him spend time with you. Look after him. Brothers hold a special bond, but they don’t always agree with one another. Love your brother and show him. Be good to him.
after two days in the hospital, Logan has finally arrived home. we had to stay a little longer at the hospital than planned due to a concern from the pediatrician. Logan’s resting heart rate was about 80 beats per minute up to 100 bpm when he was active. average heart rates for infants is 120-160 bpm. although his oxygen levels were constant and high, the doctor wanted to be cautious. so after 6 hours of waiting, an electro-cardiogram, an echo cardiogram and a consult from a pediatric cardiologist, we finally got the news that Logan has a low resting heart rate. everything works great. no problems. just a slower heart rate. conditioned athletes generally have lower heart rates, so we joked that Logan was destined to be the next Lance Armstrong.
everything is fine and Logan is slowly awakening to the world outside the womb. Logan gave Connor a new fire truck as a peace offering when he arrive home. with this new toy in hand, Connor has hardly noticed Logan’s arrival. Logan has been quite mellow so far — sleeping, eating and pooping only — but i imagine he will be getting more demanding soon. for now, we are enjoying his cuteness and miniature features. i’m excited and a little nervous to see how Connor responds to Logan in the next few weeks. hopefully, he will keep the tantrums to a minimum.
our little family keeps getting bigger…
Hi all. Our second son, Logan, was born yesterday. Go here to see lots of pictures!