While reading Digg comments for the oFone, someone mentioned that the Microsoft iPod Packaging video was also created by Microsoft... I thought it was a fan-made video, personally, but here's the article from iPodObserver, and it reached around 3500 diggs on Digg, so I think it's safe to say that it's an accurate article.

The video in question, in case you haven't seen it:

I'm starting to like Microsoft a little more everyday. When people can make fun of themselves... They automatically rock.

Behold! Microsoft has decided to try their hand at designing a cell phone that will rival Apple's iPhone. Microsoft first made the announcement with this video that they presented at the Mobile and Embedded Developer Conference in Las Vegas on May 1st:

Although, before any Apple fanatics read this and blow a fuse at how Microsoft is "copying" Apple again, I need to mention that, according to the MSNBC article, Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division, assured everyone that the oFone is just a silly parody video they made and that there are absolutely no plans to release such a thing.

Still, it's funny reading all the comments by Apple fanatics on Engadget and Digg.

And, of course, with my increased usage of the phrase "Apple fanatic", I must say that I don't mean Apple users in general, but the Apple users who go out of their way to plug Macs and rip Windows at every possible moment because they're sad, bitter little boys. I know my fair share of Apple users who don't act like rabid fanatics.

Alrighty you Cyan folk. This is the moment of truth. I, personally, have been waiting for something big to happen to prove that Uru Live is, indeed, alive and kicking. Being strapped for cash, canceling the subscription has become more and more of an option. However, according to this forum post [mystonline.com], things seem to be getting a little more organized and moved...forwardly.

Episodic content is something I've wanted since the beginning. I quickly got tired of missing all the action because I was busy and couldn't stay in Uru 24/7, and then having people lording their knowledge over me, trying to make themselves feel like better fans because they know more than me. Now it seems people can plan (more or less) around releases and not miss anything.

But, I'm sorry to say that the story isn't something I'm interested in at all. In my opinion, the story has been a sort of driving force behind solving puzzles, but never something that actually stands out. Well, they have the not-standing out part down rather well (sorry, but I guess things need to ramp up). Anyway, I want puzzles and exploration, not hear about how a group of five whiny people want the DRC to open the Temple of Yahvo. That's not gameplay, that's boring filler fluff.

In this post, though, they mention a new age, and I quote:

A never-before-seen new Age is released featuring a vast landscape with hours of unique game play to solve by yourself or with friends.

Alright. This is the moment of truth I was talking about. A new Age with a vast landscape with hours of gameplay to solve. To solve. It's a puzzle? It better not be like the Pod Ages where the vast landscape is behind impenetrable glass, or where the hours of gameplay is avatars sitting around waiting for a sparkling symbol to appear so we can get a brilliant floating rock on our Relto.

The vast landscape better be accessable and traversable. The hours of gameplay better be puzzles and exploration, and not a bunch of people sitting around trying to roleplay about how wonderful the sky looks.

I'm coming off as harsh and demanding, I think. But I'm getting tired of hearing all these promises of fun and delight, only to be disappointed. If I'm disappointed, I'd like to be able to ask someone why it's taking so long and not get a pillow full of even more empty promises. I'm sorry, but Uru's simply not worth $10 a month, seeing as how I don't actually play things on Gametap.

So in Windows Vista, the User Access Control pops up and asks you whether or not a program is supposed to be doing what it's trying to do. According to anti-Microsoft fanatics, this is a bad thing.

In Linux, when you use a graphical interface, a window pops up asking the root password to let you allow a program to do what it's trying to do. According to anti-Microsoft fanatics, this is a good thing.

Could someone please explain to me how the two are different and why Microsoft's implementation is bad? Oh, it's annoying? Well, it's not annoying in Linux? No? Oh, okay, well, you CAN shut off the Windows UAC. Sure, you're not pointed to the option with bright red arrows, but I'm sure you Linux types are smart enough not to be stumped by the Windows environment.

So GAIM has finally released version 2.0... They were hunted by AOL for using the term "AIM" in their name, so they changed the name to Pidgin... Why?! Why such a horrible name? Am I the only one who think it sounds incredibly lame and will never ever call it that in a normal conversation?

To make matters worse, they changed the program icon, too:

Say hello to the awful, undead, purple zombie-pigeon. Not only that, but they changed the interface icons to glitzy, smooth, Web 2.0 icons that are really dumb and confusing. Hopefully there's something in the backend that makes this upgrade worth-while, but at least I'm not using the year-old Beta release anymore...

I was also recently informed that the duck creature used as an icon in Adium is called "Adiumy". Guh, such an influx of stupid names. Why must everything be called something dumb and uncreative. Adiumy. I think that takes the cake.

The results are in! Mostly... I still have one more class tomorrow, and that professor's really weird and not very planned out and I wouldn't be surprised if I was never told what my grade was and had to check my official transcript.

1. Basic Algebra - A
2. Information Systems Fundamentals - A
3. Programming Logic and Design- A
   90% to 100% is an A, and I have 91% even with 30 points not graded, yet.
4. Critical Thinking - A
5. Micro Operating Systems - To Be Announced

Micro Operating Systems is what I finish tomorrow night... With the stupid presentations. But four As on my very first semester? I'm going to treat myself to a session of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

I took a bunch of pictures today, yay! Don't know why...

Here's my new SUV, in all its glory... It's it beeeautiful?!

And since I haven't actually taken a picture of my dog, Timber, yet:

He's closely watching a tennis ball that my brother's holding. You can get him to sit VERY still when you do that! Makes for easy picture taking! Oh, and he's wet because it's hot today and he was jumping around in the creek that runs through our property.

Now, I'm supposed to be reading Chapter 8 of my Critical Thinking book, but I think I'm going to not do that and play Oblivion instead because I've been standing all day and I want to rest.