reviews « Baron’s Blog

Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category

Opening Pandora’s box

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

I’ve been listening to this album by The Black Keys almost constantly the past few weeks, not sure why I never listened to them before. I found them via Pandora on my iPhone while listening to the White Stripes. I’ve used Pandora plenty of times before on my laptop but having it on the iPhone is real freedom.

If you like crunchy, distorted rock that needs to play loud this is a good album. I downloaded some guitar tabs, plugged the strat into a HotWatt amp and put the headphones on, pretty fun playing Modern Times, but my hearing may not agree as I have the distortion and volume turned up mucho loud.

There’s a rumor that Pandora may be going away due to increased licensing fees so use them while you can.

Posted in music, sci-tech | No Comments »

Double Down Saloon

Friday, August 22nd, 2008

The Tinglerz at Double Down Saloon.

Â
Click on image above for video.

Had to park across the street, make our way past a couple of cop cars with lights spinning on the street in front of the bar, something about a car driving the wrong way on the one way street in front. Got to the entrance where some kids were unsuccessful at trying to get in with fake IDs, they card everyone here, even an old fart like me.

Bacon Martini

I had a Bacon Martini, a little light on the bacon flavor, I think it’s bacon drippings tossed in there. Had the Ass Juice which taste like the ‘bug juice’ they’d mix up in the Navy (double strength Kool-Aid).

Baron with Carly and ‘ass juice’ in hand

I thought The Tinglerz was a good band, FSP was the typical speed rock I would hear on the Big Island by teenage kids so I didn’t stay though the crowd liked them. I may have to go again tonight.

Free loud music, cheap booze, hepatitis shots not included at this dive bar. I love it!
http://www.doubledownsaloon.com

Posted in Travel, music | 3 Comments »

iFix iBook, iGive-up?

Sunday, August 17th, 2008

Thought I had fixed this iBook to take on my vacation as my MacBook Pro is broken. Looks like the iBook graphics chip is still messed up.

Here’s the iBook in the process of being repaired. That square thing is the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and the source of the problems. It overheats, comes loose, messes up the video. The jury-rig fix is to put a spacer to press it against the logic board so it doesn’t come loose.

Looks like the GPU is still coming loose under thermal stress. Damn these machines.

I posted this via my iPhone which may be my main computer on this trip.

Posted in hardware, rant | 1 Comment »

NVIDIA – Saving the environment by saving energy…via failing video output

Friday, August 8th, 2008

Actual laptop LCD image, click for larger view

Yeah, that’s what my MacBook Pro 15″ LCD screen looks like with the laptop running. It looks pretty much the same stunning quality on an external monitor. Seems my laptop is another victim of the NVIDIA chipset bug. All of a sudden my laptop would not output video to either the built-in LCD or external via the video port.

Seems NVIDIA made a boo-boo with some chips.

See here:Â http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

and

here:Â http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2108

And this comes 10 days before I go on vacation. Nice going NVIDIA. And before you Windows fanboys/fangirls poo-poo Apple, read the top link, this affects HP, Dell and ASUS users too. ATi anyone?

Posted in hardware, photos, rant, sci-tech | 1 Comment »

Wot Dat?

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

I made it and it shall be known as Frogasurus.

Make your own via the creature creator fromÂ http://www.spore.com

You’ll need a pretty hefty graphics card and cpu to have fun with the trial app.

Posted in software | 2 Comments »

Same as it ever was

Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

Aloha Airlines has ceased passenger service as they remain in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and continue their cargo service. As a loyal Aloha Airlines flyer in the past it’s very sad to see the good employees lose their jobs. Mesa Airlines used some dirtbag tactics with confidential info for their business plan but the airfare war did benefit Hawaii air travelers. I’m sure by next year we’ll be complaining about airfare prices just like we did when there was only Aloha and Hawaiian.

As the Talking Heads said, “same as it ever was.”

click on the image above for the classic video.

Posted in music, videos | No Comments »

Givin’ up da Ghost

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

Nine Inch Nails said I could post their album here so I did, so there. Click on the album cover above or click on this link to download the first of the four ghosts album.

When you want to buy albums II-IV go here http://ghosts.nin.com

Posted in music | 1 Comment »

Baron’s Blog