Some background information is probably needed for this post. First of all, I'm the owner of a new Acer Aspire One netbook. Right after I set it up it refused to maintain a stable Wifi connection, especially for tethering to my iPhone. Second, it had a sticky Wi-Fi switch that didn't work 100% well. I was sad this beautiful new computer in my favorite color (brown) was not cutting it.

Here's where I need to kvell. After locating a replacement WiFi card in Bellevue, silvertailwolf braved the cold with me in horrendous snowdrifts, using 4WD to take me to pick it up from an equally brave Craigslister. We came home, triumphant with the tiny mini PCI express card. He proceeded to assist me in the near-complete disassembling of my new computer required to access the WiFi card and RAM slot (I got a 1GB stick at Fry's for $18). There were miniscule ribbon cables, delicate connectors, and screws that had been torqued down with Lock-Tite to the point of us almost stripping a few.

But, two hours later, my laptop emerged better than ever before. Wifi switch and wifi card completely fixed, and now rocking an extra 512MB of system RAM. I am not sure I could have done it without Silver's help. I think for the first time in the week and a half I've had this computer, I am truly enjoying it. As a matter of fact, I'm posting this from work on the Aspire One right now.

1. Circuit Bending
2. Lomography
3. Grunge Art
4. Anonymous
5. Bacon
6. YouTube Tribute Videos
7. Movie Remakes
8. Guitar Hero/Rock Band
9. World of Warcraft
10. Top Ten Lists

Moo.

Greetings, fellow gamers. This short rant concerns the immensely popular DS Lite, which was recently released to rave reviews and which has taken the gaming community by storm.

First, let me start of by saying that the screens on the DS Lite are nothing short of spectacular. They are so bright, they almost hurt. The touchscreen is also much better, as some of the original DSes (mine included) have a grainy texture to the touchscreen. I am truly impressed by quality and clarity of the DS Lite screens, and am a little disappointed that this wasn't able to be implimented in the first generation DS. The only other thing I believe that has been significantly improved is the stylus, which is larger and sturdier.

The DS lite features the same white finish as is found on Apple's iPod. As much as I like the iPod, I really am weary of manufacturers copying Apple's designs. In the late 90s, we had the iMac, with its bright, transparent, colors, which we saw copied in everything from boomboxes to hairbrushes.

In Japan, making things smaller is a national obsession, part of a larger corporate philosophy called kaizen. This is the same model that gave us the miscarriage that was the Gameboy Micro. This system was so small, I couldn't see the screen and my hands felt cramped.

My hands feel cramped on the DS Lite, but that may be because I simply have large hands. However, I do think the orginal DS feels much more comfortable in my hands.

Now on to more specifics. Something that I can't understand is Nintendo's decision to relocate the power switch. Instead of being a simple button that was on the face of the unit, as in the original DS, it is now a "momentary contact switch (ala the PSP)," located on the side of the unit. This causes problems, as my friend's case causes his DS Lite to power on and off depending on how it gets put in the case or taken out. This problem was nonexistant on the original DS, where the button remained un-pressable when the system was closed.

Speaking of buttons, what is up with the start and select buttons? They're miniscule, located directly next to the screen below the action buttons. This has been changed from being above the action buttons and easily accessable. On the DS Lite, you have to try not to mash both of the little watch-buttons at the same time with your thumb.

To make a long story short, you have to ask yourself if the $140 pricetag is worth it for the brighter screens. To someone who is just getting a DS, I probaly wouldn't recommend against the DS Lite. But for someone who already owns a DS, like myself, it's totally not worth it.

Oh, and my pirate card doesn't work on the DS Lite :P

It's safe to say my sleep schedule is non-existent at this point. I have stayed up all night (again) and now face the crucial decision of muddling through the rest of the day as a zombie, carrying around Bawls in an IV bag...or simply hitting the hay and waking up, still tired, at 4 or 5pm. I am not sure if kalthare is going to make it either, as he is in the same situation. However, he is less shy about consuming large amounts of Bawls.

Speaking of Bawls...I personally love the drink. Its the only energy drink that doesn't taste like carbonated urine and I get to tell the checkout clerk at WinCo "Hey! Be careful with my Bawls..."

I'm tired and I should quit while I'm still behind. I'm at the point where I will be easily amused by a variable-speed microcassette recorder. Hee hee...A chipmunk sings Frank Sinatra...Classic.

Oh, infinite thanks to dizbuster for drawing my character pic, and silvertailwolf for coloring it into an avatar!

This is my first post on LJ. I guess I'm making history by being a part of the blogging revolution. Kinda feels weird... Oh well. A shout out to all my friends, a kiss to my mate, and...well, that's all for today, I guess.