October 31st, 2007
Comatose by Skillet
I discovered Skillet back in late 90s when they were harder in terms of music…
I forgot about them but found out that they are still around and released a CD by the title of “Comatose” about a year ago… and I love it!! 
First track “Rebirthing” is sheer genius and joy to listen… they did awesome job of mixing classical with rock! And the title song “Comatose” reminds me of how they have stayed true… Go listen to it already!
October 31st, 2007
So… I found GlobalSat BT 328 for $35 shipped off www.buygpsnow.com thanks to Hong! 
It is a Bluetooth GPS unit that is about the size of a lighter! 
Here’s the listed spec:
Electrical Characteristics (Receiver)
Chipset SiRF GSC2
Frequency L1, 1575.42 MHz
C/A Code 1.023 MHz chip rate
Channels 12
Tracking Sensitivity -155 dBm
Accuracy
Position Horizontal 10m 2D RMS
WAAS enabled 5m 2D RMS
Time 1 micro-second synchronized to GPS time
Velocity 0.1m/sec 95%
Datum
Datum WGS-84
Acquisition Rate
Hot start 8 sec., average (with ephemeris and almanac valid)
Warm start 38 sec., average (with almanac but not ephemeris)
Cold start 42 sec., average (neither almanac nor ephemeris)
Reacquisition 0.1 sec. average (interruption recovery time)
Protocol
GPS Output Data NMEA 0183 protocol, and supports command: GGA, GSA, GSV, RMC, VTG, GLL (VTG and GLL are optional)
GPS transfer rate 38400,N,8,1
Dynamic Condition
Acceleration Limit Less than 4g
Altitude Limit 18,000 meters (60,000 feet) max.
Velocity Limit 515 meters/sec. (1,000 knots) max.
Jerk Limit 20 m/sec**3
Power
Voltage Built-in rechargeable battery (1300 mAh) and 5V DC input charging circuit
Operation Time 16 hr. After fully recharged, in continuous mode
Physical Characteristics
Dimension 67.5mm x 45mm x 17mm
Weight 65g
Temperature
Operating -20¢X~ 60¢XC
Humidity Up to 95% non-condensing
Bluetooth Specification
* Bluetooth: V1.2 Compliant
* Supply Voltage: 2.8V ~ 3.3V
* Frequency Range: 2.402 ~ 2.480 GHz
* Receiver Sensitivity: -80 dBm
* Transmit Power: Class 2
* Transmitting Range: 10 m
* Power Consumption: 45 mA (Typical)
I’ve had my Samsung i-730 for almost a year now and since I got Google Maps for it and with unlimited data package with Verizon Wireless, I decided to give this GPS thing a try. My PDA phone has Windows Mobile 5 so it was a bit different to setup.
There was a addendum to setup your GPS wit WM5 and I was more or less on my way! Basically, you have to set it up like any other Bluetooth device detection method. Turn on GPS first, have your WM5-device search for a BT device, and select it and assign it a COM port.
You then assign a new Outgoing COM port to it. Then in “Settings” –> “System” –> “GPS”, make sure you set it up for same COM port in “Hardware” port setting and set it for 4800 baud setting.
I have Google Maps 1.2.0.18 installed and once I clicked “Track Location”, I began to see blue dot on the map and as I drove home from work last night, I saw my location moving!! It is the best $35 I’ve spent!
There’s a car charger so you can charge it and placement doesn’t seem to be too sensitive as I left it in my center console. This would also work on a laptop with Bluetooth and a mapping software… Overall, I give it
9/10 for no-nonsense awesome GPS! 
October 30th, 2007
*Image from DailyTech.com
Article
John Carmack is a legend in the PC gaming world as the creator of Doom series. He evidently is so rich that he wanted to give a shot on his own on X-Prize Lunar Lander competition. It was a bust from the start but his team’s design was the only one to be ready for launch out of 4 teams.
October 30th, 2007
*Image from Gizmodo.com
Boy was I pleasantly surprised to read about this on Gizmodo.com today! Eye-fi has to be the coolest concept to work ever!! Imagine sharing pics in almost real-time with people over the Internet as you are snapping away! You just need a PC or Mac with Internet access in proximity. One to get my “Coolest Gadget of the Year” award this year!
October 29th, 2007
So nVidia has been holding the top bar in terms of video graphics in PC market for past year or so with its 8800 series video cards. I’ve wished someone would give me one… anyone be it 8800GTX, 8800GTS 640 MB, or 8800GTS 320MB. But the lowest of the three being about $300 doesn’t help. 
So I was more than pleasantly shocked to hear about the releas and previews of 8800GT 512 MB card that would surpass 8800GTS class and come close to the performance of 8800GTX!! 
Best part is that the price would be about $250!!
Holy moley, guacamole!!
Read some previews on this monster budget killer!!
Tom’s Hardware Article
Guru3D Article
Firing Squad Article/Preview
October 29th, 2007
Wa ha ha ha ha!! 
I found out that the new Apple OS, Leopard, now brings on the BSOD (Blue screen of death) that has been infamous for Windows!! Take that!
October 29th, 2007
It’s time to vote again! Please make time to vote! Even if you and I disagree, we should agree to vote!
One important proposition is #13. I voted for this one. Please seriously consider this among many others. I did Early Vote to save time. 
Proposition 13
The constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to a person who violates certain court orders or conditions of release in a felony or family violence case.