JohnnyDean

Transformers Nostalgia - Will The Real Optimus Prime Please Stand Up?

There’s an interesting articlce on Wired about the upcoming Tranformers movie. It echos some of my own thoughts the minute I heard Michael Bay was attempting to remake the series into a live-action film. I had all the typical first reactions. Will I be dissapointed? Will he ruin it? Will it live up to the memory of my most cherished of childhood tv series and toys? Sorry, but yes, yes… and no. Not to be a downer, but can anything really live up to something experienced in childhood? Just the fact that it happened “back when” makes it better. No one else can experience what’s in your mind. It’s yours, all yours. Until, of course, someone with a pocket-full of money comes along and tries to bring it back to the real world… thereby taking what belongs to you and giving everyone else a glimpse. It will fall short. Not even a hundred and fifty million dollars can re-create your childhood… so get over it.

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iPhone Mania Week

With less than a week to go until the official release of the iPhone, keyboards all over the world are wearing out those six little letters. The buzz is growing whether we like it or not and I, like you, am beginning to grow apathetic toward the headlines. Don’t get me wrong. I think the product is probably going to be amazing but growing weary is natural reaction to saturation. It’s like difference between when I first saw the Geico “Cavemen” commercials and how I feel about them now that I’ve seen a thousand. In case you aren’t burned out yet, here’s a quick summary of the latest:

• Apple releases a guided tour showcasing more details.
• Apple announces longer battery life than initially stated and an upgraded display surface (optical glass).
• Apple announces it’s custom app. for viewing Youtube content.
• Macworld introduces iPhone Central.
• AT&T readies for the rush.
• IT guys aren’t exactly exicted about it.

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Pirates? Maybe. Thieves? Not so fast.

I caught a bit of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and one particular routine about DVD piracy reminded me of an almost identical rant I had regarding this subject. I can’t quote his version but it went something like this: “Have you seen those anti-piracy commercials at the beginning of your DVDs? You know, they go something like, ‘Would you steal a cell phone? Would you steal car? Then why would you steal a movie?’ And I thought to myself, no I wouldn’t steal a car… but if my buddy called me up and said, ‘Hey, I bought this new car and I can burn you a copy if you want!’ I might have to think twice about that.” My sentiments exactly.

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Small Wonder - Samsung CLP-300N

This small wonder is the perfect buy for you freelancers out there. The Samsung CLP-300N is a compact, color laser printer that measures just 15.4″ W x 13.5″ D x 10.4″ H and comes network ready. It’ll print text at 17ppm and full color at 4ppm, not exactly a business printer but then again I’m talking to those of you without business budgets. A neat feature is the easy-to-replace cartridge system for toner which is typically the worst part of owning a laser. Best price I found was at Newegg.com, $299.00. Great buy if you need a home office solution on a budget.

A Three-legged Gorilla Who Snaps Photos

Seems like there’s a new gadget or Gizmo out there every day but most of the time they turn out to be nothing more than Gremlins. Well, I saw this gadget, err, gadget accessory on the tube tonight and thought it truly looked useful. It’s a camera/camcorder tripod called the Gorillapod, made by Joby, and as soon as I saw it I thought, “It’s about time!” How often do you truly find a level surface to shoot on? Here’s Joby’s description:

Featuring over two dozen flexible leg joints that bend and rotate, the Gorillapod will firmly secure your compact digital camera to virtually any surface — anywhere and everywhere!

Web’s Design Trends Influence TV, Sport

I met my dad for a quick BBQ lunch on Father’s Day. We were waiting to be seated in the bar area and caught the end of the Nextel Cup race at Michigan International Speedway. During one of those laps where most drivers decided to pit, we were — in all of our extensive expertise — critiquing the Car of Tomorrow (NASCAR’s new stock car design, brought on primarily by the 2001 death of Dale Earnhardt Sr.) and I noticed how far paint shemes and decal design have come.

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