Computer Upgrade - Graphics Card (Updated)

YEY! Finally got my new graphics card, a nice, shiny, very quiet nVidia GeForce GTX560 1gb (click the name for full specs) made by Gigabyte.

As I'm writing this, I'm running through some tests, will update later with results.

Update: So, I've had the card in for over 24 hours, and omg am I happy, not one problem, not one Kernel Error, and its whisper quiet. Well worth the money.

Next Upgrade - New Monitor (possibly this one), something to take advantage of the new card.

Things I'll miss from the iPhone. And some I wont

So, my S3 is on its way, finally, and I thought I would write a little post about things I'll miss from the iPhone 4 I have been stuck with for the past 2 years, and a few things I wont miss at all.

So, without further ado, here is my list of things I'll miss and wont miss from owning an iPhone:

Things I'll Miss:
The User Interface - Its clean, its sleek, everything I want is there.
Top Lock Button - Wont miss it too much, just so used to pressing the top to lock the phone, I'll have to get used to pressing the side.
The Shape - Its nice and square, just feels right, more so with the bumper than without.
Retina Display - Probably Apple's only innovation with the iPhone, aside iOS, its a nice screen, very responsive.
App Selection - Double edge sword this one, the App Store has a load of apps, and a lot more dev's support iOS over Android.

Things I Wont Miss:
The Walled Garden - I'll finally be able to do whatever I want with MY phone, and not have apple dictate it. (I never jailbroke the phone, I like updates and new features without faffing about to much)
iTunes - What a pile of garbage, never closes when you want it to, even after numerous un-installs, have to close it via task manager. Sick of it never picking up the library after a computer format, so have to mess about getting it working right. Seriously wont miss iTunes. (Thought, I heard the Samsung Kies Software can be a bit iffy)
Messing about with Ringtones - Will finally be able to just set a ringtone, and not have to convert it to Apple's format, mess about getting it on the phone and messing about to set it.
The Mail Client - Sod Junk Mail! Have the mail client setup to my Syphernet Account, and even though the account detects and dumps junkmail in both Thunderbird and the Server, the iOS mail client likes to deliver it like its normal mail, fracking annoying.
One Choice of Browser - I've always hated safari, no choice but to use it in iOS, roll on Firefox for Android, or the Dolphin Browser I've heard alot about.
Auto-Correct - It never remembers the words you use the most, and doesn't accept things like BBC, changes it to NBC. And you cant add words to it, annoying.
Apple - Screw Apple =)

So, yeah, a little list, cant wait to have the S3 in my hand

When T-Mobile Royally Screwed Up [Update 12/06/12]

Update 12/06/12: Phone is on its way, will be here today, new plan is now active on my account, just need the bill and 2nd line sorted now.

So I decided to get the Samsung Galaxy S3, as you are probably all ready well aware. Apart from the Blue one being very very limited, and delayed right now, due to a screw up from Samsung, I stuck with it, knowing I would finally get one at the end of June - That is, until T-Mobile decided to screw up.

See, I was told by 3 different people from T-Mobile that what I had ordered, was indeed, an upgrade, then I got a phone call about the blue delay and I could change it to a white one - I chose to wait.

Then came Wednesday 6th June 2012, where I got a text message from T-Mobile saying "Thank you for taking out an additional line with T-Mobile. This is now active." - That shouldn't happen, log into my online account info, and there it is, a 2nd line has been activated on my account, with the exact price plan I wanted and a White S3 - You have to be shitting me.

So I phone up to find out what's happening, there has indeed been a 2nd line active and how it happened, no one knows. The lass on the line is very helpful, up until when she was meant to stop me having to pay a £230 phone bill, but that £230 is still showing on the bill, even after phoning them today about it (I'll get into that shortly). She tells me, that the phone has all ready been sent out and that she cant stop it, but advises me to refuse delivery when it arrives (which it did today)

Anyways, she arranges for there 'loyalty, upgrade team, whatever" to phone me within half hour to sort out my options. True to there word, about 30mins later they phone - They offer me: 2000minutes, Unlimited Txts, 1.5gb Internet, the phone for £50 and the early upgrade fee of £78 waved, with a White S3 for £34/month - I said I'll think about it.

So, I thought about it, which brings me to today. I phone T-Mobile, first waning to get the bill sorted so I can pay it, which still hasn't been done, not to worry though, I have until July 21st to pay it. I also decided to get a White S3, part because I'm impatient as hell and part because I'm putting a green case on it anyways (which is all ready ordered, £3 including postage). They pissed me off a little by hanging up on me first time grrr.

I get put through to upgades, they are absolutely useless, insisting I cant get the S3 at all until my contract has ended, or I pay the early upgrade fee of £78, I try to explain the situation to her, but she isn't listening, she finally puts me through to the department who offered me plan above, surprise surprise, no record of it, so I try to get a good deal - It wasn't happening, the guy kept insisting the plans are set in stone, not to worry, I can get the plan I chose (£31/Month, 300mins, Unlimited txts, 750mb Internet), so I decided to try and get the phone a bit cheaper, I tell the guy I was given an offer of only having to pay £50 for the phone, they I tried £100, he wasn't budging, have to pay the full £150, but I did get him to add it to my next bill, meaning I don't have to pay for it until 21st July - I'm basically back at square 1, just with a different colour and I don't have to pay the early upgrade fee at all because of all the trouble. I did ask if I could head to the shop today and pick one up there, but I would have to pay the £150 up front there and then, cant do it.

And that's how T-Mobile screwed up and didn't exactly make up for it, sure, I got what I originally wanted cost wise, what I originally prepared for cost wise, but in a different colour and it is actually sorted - Phone will be here Tuesday, expect a photo or 2 =P

Decisions, Decisions Update

So, the Samsung Galaxy S3 was announced:

• Quad Core CPU
• 1gb RAM
• 1080p Video Recording
• 8mp Rear Camera
• Android 4.0.4 out the box
• And Lots More

I have officially decided, that when the S3 is released on May 30th, I will be getting one of them.

As for price plan, well, T-Mobile (My Network) and all the other networks, haven't announced the pricing yet, so will have to wait for that, but I am OFFICIALLY getting the S3 on May 30th!

Decisions, Decisions

You all thought I abandoned this blog, nope, just not had anything to post outside The Avanta Files. But, now, I do have something to post.

On May 8th, I'm finally getting rid of this iPhone 4 after 2 years, and knocking the price plan down. Now, the only problem with this is, what phone do I get?

I really want the Samsung Galaxy S3, but its not being officially launched until May 3rd and before the launch was announced, I had decided to get a Samsung Galaxy S2 on an 18 month contract, then in August 2013, when the contract would be up, get something better, like the S3 or whatever is better.

Now, here is the dilemma, do I wait a month or so and get a S3, or do I get the S2 anyway. I guess it is a bit to early to decide, for all I know the S3 is being released on the 3rd as well as being launched, or T-Mobile announce pricing etc before May 8th, I register my interest, assuming they do the same as they did with the HTC One X.

It really is to early to tell, next week I'll have to make a decision, Samsung Galaxy S2 on a 18 month contract, or a Samsung Galaxy S3 on either 18 or 24 months.

Job Lot O'Mega Drive Games

So, I just got back from town, got a text message earlier on, from a friends who volunteers in an RSPCA Charity Shop, they had 21 Mega Drive (Genesis) games in the shop for £1.50 each, with a bit of haggling, I got them down to about £1 each, its a charity shop, don't wanna go to far down.

Here's the games I got, all are boxed and all have manuals, unless stated otherwise:

Pitfall The Mayan Adventure
Beware The Ultimate Evil of Warlock
The Legend of Galahad
Mickey Mania
Bloodshot (No Manual)
Pac-Panic
Lethal Enforcers 2: Gun Fighters
Generations Lost
Gauntlet IV
The Pagemaster
The Lawnmower Man
Desert Strike
Red Zone
Ecco: The Tides of Time
Techno Clash
Jungle Strike
Urban Strike
James Pond 3
Mega Games 1
Cosmic Spacehead
Ecco The Dolphin

A Random Letter

I have seen some random things in my 27 years on this earth, but I think this really takes the prize for the most random, for today, I received a letter from ITV.
If you have no idea what ITV is, I would explain, but here is the link to Wikipedia.

So, yeah, I got a letter from ITV... asking if I would like to take part in a TV programme, called 'Come Dine With Me' erm... yeah.
Number 1: I cant cook
Number 2: Cant really cook
Number 3: I seriously cant cook

Not really much to say other than I'm not taking part, and this will be the last mention of it. Because its silly.

Here's the letter if your interested =P
(click it and make it bigger to read)

Going Legal

I have a confession to make - Ever since Windows 7 was released in 2009, I have been using a downloaded copy of Ultimate and a bootloader to by-pass the activation. Illegal I know, but I couldn't afford a legal copy. That is, until last week.

On Friday, I ordered a legal copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, and it arrived today, a day early, which is nice. If you have been following my Twitter, you will have seen that I have basically been destroying ALL data on the hard drive using software called 'Dban' which basically takes your hard drive back to its factory settings (and as I am writing this post, it will take over 5 hours to finish). The reason for doing it this way, is I want all traces of the dodgy copy of Windows 7 gone and its bootloader.

So yeah, I have been a very naughty boy, but that's changed now, its legal Windows from here on in. There will be no difference between the 2, except the legal copy might be slightly more secure and easier to get some updates for.

And if your wondering, it cost £240, admittedly from a catalogue, so I'm paying monthly, but its only £10 more than most other legal places to get it.

mmm legal

Jury Duty: The End

So, I finished my Jury Duty, with an extra day added on.

It wasn't actually that bad, I mean, sure, there was a lot of waiting around, but with a couple of other people to talk to, and a pack of cards, the time flew by. Even when you get onto a case, the time sort of flies by.

So, I'm going to drop a couple of tips for anyone else who finds themselves being summoned for Jury Duty -
1) Have something to do
You will be waiting around, alot. A book, pack of cards, handheld console, phone. Anything so your not bored
2) Go out for lunch:
We had a cafe attached to the jury reception, but it was very expensive, even with £5.71 loaded onto our cards every day, it didnt roll over and the cafe was overpriced. Best of all, even if you don't use that money on your card, you can claim it anyway.
3) Make Friends:
Same as number 1, its something to do.
4) DON'T volunteer to be foreperson of the jury:
As foreperson, not only do you have to stand up infront of the court to give the verdict, which in itself is a bit of a clusterfuck if you don't have a unanimous verdict, but you have to moderate the discussions in the deliberation room.
5) Listen to the announcements:
Stop everything and listen, your name could be called up, and you get a list of all the cases going that day.
6) Don't think its over for that day:
There is a list called the 'Floating List' these are cases that haven't been assigned to a court room, even if the main cases are done for the day, its possible you will be called up for one of them.
7) Take some food:
If you know your going to be in the deliberation room over lunch, take something to eat as its up to the judge if your allowed out for lunch or not, they will take a sandwich order, but its from the overpriced cafe and comes off your card.
8) Keep any bus or train tickets:
You can claim your travel expenses back, get a weekly ticket and claim it back, they might ask for a copy of it, but don't worry about it.
9) Look interested, take notes and always look at the evidence:
When you do finally get onto a case, look like your interested, take notes and look at the evidence, it will help later in the deliberation room.
10) Don't be late:
Try and get there 5 minutes early, both at the start of the day and after lunch, if your late for your case, there is a 90% chance you will be fined in contempt.

Those tips should get you through your 10 days jury service. If you have any of your own, drop them in the comments, I would love to know how you got through it.

Jury Duty: Day 1

WARNING: This won't be much of a blog post, I am not describing anything about cases I have or have not been assigned to, or anything that could cost me £1000 or a short stay in the cells for Contempt of Court. This will also be the last post about it until I have ended.

So, today was day 1 of my Jury Service and it was a bit boring, sat on my backside waiting to be called.

That's the day in a nutshell. I could describe the lead up to going to the waiting room, I assume its the same for all courts, so anyone who has done jury service will know all about it, and those who haven't will know what to expect on there first day.

Yeah, I will describe it lol

So, after you go through security, you go into a small room where you basically register. Once everyone is registered, your taken to what's called the "Jury Reception", this is where you will spend all your time when on Jury Service, including your lunch if you so choose.

After we waited a bit more, we where taken into an empty court room, this had 2 reasons, 1) To show us what one looks like in reality, 2) Show us a dvd and to go through all the legalities, rights and other stuff you need to know during your service. They actually mention about Social Networks (though there sheet is very out of date as it mentions My Space LOL), they tell you not to talk about cases on it. They go through how to claim your expenses too and there was a pleasant surprise; we get a card, loaded with £5.71 for our lunch in the cafe in the court, whatever you don't spend at the end of the fortnight - YOU CAN CLAIM, so, I'll be coming out with £57.10 at the end of the fortnight, just from not eating at the cafe, £20ish of that will be going to my mum, as she is subbing me lunch money for the fortnight.

I could be braking the 'no telling' rule thingy with this blog post and some tweets, but its not like I'm going into any detail of cases, and never will do. Just giving a brief overview of my first experience with Jury Service.

And that's all your getting =)

Oh Nintendo Europe: Why do you Kick Arse Right Now!

After 5 months, countless emails and 1 phone call... I finally have The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D Soundtrack =D =D =D

It started last week when I got an email from Nintendo saying that, although I was entitled to the OST, I hadn't placed the order, but they guy who send the email was in a position to send me one. I think its because I sent a copy of the email I received confirming the order, but right now, I don't care because I have the Soundtrack =D

So, I would like to thank the person who sent the email (they didn't put there name on) and Jeff on the phone for there help. Though, I still think they need to fix there email support system, Its like there is one guy doing it.

MMM A Happy Beaver Is A Happy Beaver =P

Oh Nintendo Europe: Why do you suck right now?

How many times can you email such a big company like Nintendo before getting pissed off with them? Because I have sent 5 with only 1 getting an auto response and I'm seriously getting pissed off now.

Its been 6 months, Six Months, since The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D came out, 6 Months since I put the order in for the Soundtrack you got with it and yet, I still haven't received it. I know your thinking I'm an idiot for chasing this for so long, but I'm a Zelda fanboy and a Collector, 2 types of people you don't mess with lol.

I think its gotten to the point where I phone them, and get some information out of them that way, though if they tell me "No, you cant have the soundtrack" I will not be happy, they sent me the email telling me its on its way, twice, and that email could be counted as confirmation of the order, so they should send me it, without any problems.

I'll phone tomorrow, even though I hate phones, sometimes you have to face your fear to get somewhere, I'll update this post with what happens.

JHP The Clusterfuck

So, I'v been with JHP for.... God know how long and I was meant to leave at least a month ago, but with all the staffing problems they had, it turned into a clusterfucking piss take.

Last week, I went to quit the course but myself and the tutor made a deal - Get the Business Admin qualification within 2 weeks, today, that didnt exactly go to plan.

For some reason, we had another tutor, mixed with another group and done something we had done 3 times while there, with 3 different people, luckily, the manager of the centre was observing the tutor we had, so I asked to have a word with her, about quitting again, I was pissed.

The manager managed to talk me out of quitting again, along with another guy in the same group as me, gonna sort it so that were doing what we are there to do, and if we arnt, to phone us not to come in . If that works or not, is another matter, but if the same thing happens, I'm officially quitting, they have had 2 chances all ready, there not getting a 3rd.

This post might no make much sense when reading it, but then again, nether does what's been happening lol

Game Pickup 18/10/11

This is just a tiny show off post:
I just picked up Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, complete for £38 =)
Also picked up Gran Turismo 3 to replace a lost copy for £2

£40 for both of them, traded in 4 xbox360 games that I have only played once and they forgot about as well as £5 cash - 100% worth it in my opinion, because I basically got 4 games for 4 games =P and one of them is probably one of the rarest Playstation 2 games out there.

I'm a happy Beaver =P

Update [20 Minutes Later] - I just went to play MGS3 Disk 2, the one with the Original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 for MSX on it. The disk is cracked in half at one side, the guy checked the disks and didn't say anything and its not something you can really see. Will have to take it back shortly. =(

Update [3:45pm] - Just got back from returning Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, since it was a trade in, they gave store credit, £38 worth, so I replaced MGS3:S with:
Final Fantasy XII - Playstation 2, £5
Timesplitters - Playstation 2, 80p
Project Eden - Playstation 2, 80p
Metroid Prime - Game Cube, £5
Metroid Prime 2 Echoes - Game Cune, £8

Still have £18.40 credit left, will probably spend that soon as it expires on the 25th of October 3011, and no, that isn't a typo lol

Young Unemployed

Take your mind back, back to 2003/2004 and the time when the Government gave more help to those over 25 get back into work than it did 18-24 year old. Now bring your mind back to 2011, where the government is giving more help to the 18-24 year olds get back to work than the over 25s....

This pisses me off - When I younger than 24, I got no help from the Job Centre to get into work, no matter how hard I tried, I got nothing, then as soon as I hit 25, its announced that there going to be helping the 18-24 years old more.

Why is it that I'm always on the edge of these schemes, so I'm getting the raw end of the deal. If the government gave equal attention to everyone, and not just one age group, this country would be a lot better off than it is now. Not that it helps, not many jobs in my neck of the woods, especially now with councils having to make mega cuts, which means less public service jobs, something the North East has the most people employed in.

I'm not going to get into a Labour vs ConDem (Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) debate here. Lets just say, if you were born in 1984 (like me) or the beginning of 1985, regardless who is in charge, you have always gotten the short end of the deal, both in Education and Employment - Or at least that's how its been for me in my 26 years on this earth.

Jury Duty

They say there are 2 certainties in life, Death and Taxes. They really need to change that - Death, Taxes and Jury Duty.

It really suck, I've been selected, not that much notice either, just over a month for a 28th November start and I know next to fuck all. I mean, I know 3 people who have done it, one of them had it deferred because he was serving in the Armed Forces and close to being deployed and the other 2 have told me things, but it still doesn't help. Thing is, everyone is acting like its one of the best things to happen, I just don't see it.

Anyway, the form is filled in and ready to send tomorrow. I might as well get the bloody thing over and done with, could get something juicy or I could be sat around reading, playing 3DS or playing cards.

I guess its something to blog about, not during, I have twitter for that, but something fun to put in here.

Ah well.

Hey Nintendo! Where's my CD? [Update: 04/10/11]

Really, Nintendo, where is my Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D Soundtrack?

I bought The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D on release, well, a pre-order, which is the same thing. I registered it with Club Nintendo the same day I got it, I got court up in the glitch with the website so waited till there was another way to order it... Which I did, I even got the Email.

So, Nintendo Europe, where is my CD? You said it would take up to 8 weeks, its been longer than that, I have sent you 2 emails asking for information, which you haven't replied to. I would sent a tweet to your twitter, but Nintendo Europe, you don't have a twitter account. What else can I do?

I like you Nintendo, I really do, hell, I bought a 3DS on Day 1 and I have pre-orderd the Limited Edition Skyward Sword - I'm a Zelda Fanboy and you are depriving me of my Zelda Music Nintendo Europe.

I would send another email, but would you read it? Would you read this? Would Nintendo of America read it if I sent it to there twitter? Will I ever get the soundtrack?

Lets see, shall we.

Update: 30/09/11 - So I tried to email Nintendo Europe again, this time using there website contact form, its just a shame that THERE WEBSITE IS SHIT! The submit button brings up a 403 Forbidden error. That doesn't help! I'll have to try again on Monday afternoon, I will get this Soundtrack!

Update: 03/10/11 - Tried again, hoping they had fixed the contact form. They haven't... Doubt they even know its borked. So I have sent and email to the webmaster using the address on the 403 page and will try again later or tomorrow. If its not sorted by then, I might end up phoning them - That should be fun.

Update: 04/10/11 - Send an email to the other email address, got a bit closer to an answer because I got an auto-response. Admittedly that could mean one of 2 things, 1) The auto response is fobbing people off thinking they will get a reply or 2) They actually read the emails. Here is hoping they actually read the dam thing.

CoH Charity Marathon 2011: A[nother] Stupid Idea

I know, all the CoH Marathon stuff goes on Pure Boredom now, but this isn't in anyway the plan for the marathon...yet. You see, I have had, a very very stupid idea...

Recently, there have been a lot of places doing 24 hour gaming marathons for charity on various different games that is has made it sort of an everyday thing. And I want the Real World Hero marathon to stand out, there is only one way to do that....

Stream and Play City of Heroes for 48 Hours!

Yes, you read that right, 48 Hours - 2 Days, 2880 Minutes, 172,800 Seconds!

The way I see it is - Anything is possible, but could mine and Ed's body's handle it, could we realistic stay away and play a game for, what would actually be longer than 48 Hours. Could the computer handle City of Heroes (not in Ultra Mode this time), the streaming software and the camera at the same time for 2 days.

Something like this would take a hell of a lot more planning than last year and a hell of a lot more support needed.

But yeah, thought I would post this, if just to get opinions (getting told I'm an idiot lol) - The things I do... lol

Windows 8 Dev Preview: First Impressions

Well, the Windows 8 Dev Preview has been out for a few days, I have been trying to install it for a few days in VirtualBox and it was constantly failing - Not Windows 8 fault, hardware visualisation wasn't on, but that's a different story.

So, these are my first impressions of Windows 8 Developer Preview. The impressions of a normal Windows User and not a Dev or a real Power User.

Installation:
It took about 15 minutes for a clean install on VirtualBox, its exactly the same as the Windows 7 install.

Login Screen:
Oh boy, this is where it all changes, I'm not sure if it was set up for a tablet, but before I could even type my password, I had to flick up a screen with the date and time on it, very annoying. After you flick that up, you come to the login screen proper.
Couple of differences, your picture is bigger and the input for your password is in the top right corner, that's about it.

Desktop:
The desktop is exactly the same, except the start button is square and gray.

Start Menu:
Oh. My. God! I'm hating it all ready! If you have seen the Windows Phone 7 UI you will know all about it, I haven't used Windows Phone 7 so I cant really compare - But the Metro interface isn't right for a Desktop Operating System. Your programes are right at the back of the menu, in tiny 200x200ish squares where as anything Microsoft are at the front and various different sizes.
I really hope you can change this in its final release.

Internet Explorer:
Take what you know about browsers now, and throw it all in the bin! The UI is very minimal and at the bottom of the screen. Its usable, but then comes another problem...

Software:
You Cannot Close Software... Really, there is no X button in the top right corner like we are all used to, unless you use the windows button on your keyboard, I didn't try it, because I just though of it lol, but throw everything you know about windows in windows, really. Its going to get really annoying, really fast.

So, that's my first impressions of a quick go of Windows 8 before Doctor Who. I'll power it up again tomorrow and update this post with more detail and possibly some screenshots. I just hope you can change it to look like windows 7.

Game Pickup's 15/09/11

Picked up some games today, well 5 PS2 games for £10 (or £3 each), good considering what I got :P

Resident Evil 4 Steel Tin Edition - Replacement for a lost copy
Final Fantasy X2 - A Platinum Copy, but cant complain
Project Zero 2 - This goes for about £20-£30 on eBay
The Godfarther Limited Edition - Never played it, never seen the films, so yeah lol
Timesplitters 2 - Played the first one, cant remember anything from it :P

Erm... That is all lol